Stroke Services
Certified Stroke Center
In the United States, strokes are the third leading cause of death and the first cause of disability in adults. A stroke has an impact on not only the victim, but the entire family and community.
To better serve our patients and community, Carilion has made a commitment to optimize the care provided to stroke victims by becoming a nationally accredited Primary Stroke Center. This designation was awarded to Carilion in 2010 by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations after meeting strenuous standards for quality and patient care.
As a certified Stroke Center, we follow the leading national evidence-based practices and established protocols. And, by working closely with EMS responders through our Field Stroke Alert program, we can more quickly deliver emergency care. Through each step and every patient, we track our outcomes as a multi-disciplinary team and work to continuously improve quality and outcomes.
Stroke Alert
Carilion has elected to refer to the process of rapidly treating a stroke victim as a Stroke Alert. If you hear Stroke Alert on the overhead speakers, be assured that the stroke team is providing a rapid response to the emergency. This endeavor involves many health team members working together to improve the care of stroke patients at Carilion. These team members include:
Neurologists
Emergency room physicians
Radiologists
Nurses
X-ray techs
Pharmacists
Neurosurgeons
Hospitalists and IntensivistsTypes of Strokes
About Stroke
A stroke is sometimes referred to as a “brain attack”. It occurs when blood flow to the brain is stopped. As the blood flow is interrupted, cells in the brain around that area begin to die because the cells are not receiving oxygen and nutrients.
There are primarily two types of stroke. The first type is known as an ischemic stroke which occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel or artery. Approximately 80 percent of strokes are ischemic. The second type is known as a hemorrhagic stroke. These strokes are caused by a break in a blood vessel which results in blood leaking into the brain. Strokes occur in the brain but affect the entire body. Effects of a stroke range from mild to severe weakness to interference with thinking and talking. A stroke may also cause visual problems like loss of vision or double vision. Strokes can have lasting effects after the initial damage is done. Physical impairments and depression after a stroke are extremely common as well and can be improved with the appropriate treatments.
Symptoms and What to Do
At Carilion Clinic, we are working very hard to use the most advanced and effective treatments available to minimize the damage a stroke may cause. A stroke is a medical emergency. It is very important to understand when you're having a stroke and to seek help immediately because every second makes a difference. It has been reported that after a stroke, 2 million brain cells die each minute after the stroke begins. If you have one or more of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately!
- sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body;
- sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding speech;
- sudden difficulty seeing in one or both eyes;
- sudden loss of balance or coordination or problems with dizziness or walking; and
- sudden severe headache with no known cause.
It is also important to work to prevent a stroke by knowing and controlling the risk factors that are associated with strokes. These include:
- High Blood Pressure
- Cigarette Smoking
- Heart Disease
- Diabetes
- Previous stroke or mini strokes
For more information about strokes, please visit the American Stroke Association.
