Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment
Strokes can affect cognitive function, speech, and a wide range of physical abilities. Recognizing and treating a stroke quickly greatly improves your chances of recovery.
Recognize Stroke: BEFAST
Use BEFAST to identify stroke symptoms:
- Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination
- Eyes: Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Face: Facial drooping or numbness, especially on one side
- Arms: Weakness or numbness in one arm
- Speech: Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
- Time: Time to call 911 immediately
If you notice any of these signs, call 911 right away. Do not wait.
Stroke Tests and Screening
As soon as you arrive at the hospital, our stroke team examines you. We'll screen your symptoms and rule out other health conditions that can mimic a stroke.
The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association provide several helpful, easy-to-use resources on stroke awareness and prevention. Their materials include recognizing stroke warning signs, stroke risk factors and stroke prevention tips.
Stroke treatments
What Happens at Luminis Health
If we suspect a stroke, we run advanced brain scan tests, like a CT scan or an MRI. We may also do a CT angiogram (a CT scan with an injection of a special dye), which lets us get a closer look at the blood vessels and tissues in your brain. These tests tell us what kind of stroke it is, so we can administer the proper treatment.
Our stroke treatments are highly individualized, depending on your diagnosis and symptoms and may include:
Special medicine can break up a clot and prevent further symptoms. But you must receive it shortly after your symptoms start. That's why speed is vital — both on your part in calling 911, and our part in assessing and treating you.
Our stroke team performs state-of-the-art, minimally invasive surgery to stop bleeding, repair a weak or damaged blood vessel or remove a clot.
When you come to us for stroke care, you'll get a dedicated team of rehabilitation professionals. We work together to provide personalized care with:
- Physical therapists to help you regain your strength, balance and physical function.
- Occupational therapists to help you relearn daily skills and show you ways to live and thrive with changes in your abilities.
- Speech-language therapists to help you regain communication, swallowing and memory skills.