Stroke & Stroke Warning Signs
What is a Stroke?
Stroke ranks among the top causes of death in the U.S. and is the leading contributor to long-term disability. It occurs when blood flow to the brain, spinal cord, or retina is disrupted. Each year, over 795,000 Americans experience a stroke, accounting for more than half of all neurological hospitalizations. Many survivors face lasting impairments that prevent them from returning to work, resulting in significant financial and personal costs.
Recognizing stroke symptoms early and seeking immediate medical attention is critical. Calling 911 ensures faster access to emergency care, which can be lifesaving.
Identifying stroke symptoms and acting quickly to be evaluated by emergency medical personnel is the first step in the treatment of any type of stroke.
Signs of Stroke
- Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech.
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination.
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
Calling 911 right away with any of the signs above in yourself or someone else is a must and has been shown to reduce the time it takes for the stroke patient to receive lifesaving treatment.
What Causes a Stroke?
Strokes fall into two main categories:
Ischemic (non-bleeding) strokes – the most common type, caused by blocked arteries that prevent oxygen-rich blood from reaching parts of the brain, spinal cord, or retina. This blockage can result from plaque buildup over time, especially in the carotid arteries, or from clots that travel from the heart or other organs.
Hemorrhagic (bleeding) strokes – less frequent but often more severe, these occur when a blood vessel ruptures. High blood pressure is a major risk factor. Aneurysms—balloon-like bulges in arteries—can also burst and cause bleeding in the brain’s subarachnoid space. Detecting aneurysms before they rupture is key to preventing this type of stroke.
Stroke Treatment
For ischemic strokes, a clot-dissolving drug called t-PA may be administered if the patient arrives within a 3-hour window from symptom onset. This treatment can be highly effective but carries a risk of bleeding, so timing and evaluation are crucial.
Not all patients qualify for t-PA. In such cases, hospital care focuses on stabilizing vital signs, managing fluids and electrolytes, and sometimes performing surgery to relieve pressure from large strokes. Diagnostic tests help pinpoint the stroke’s cause and location to guide future prevention.
For hemorrhagic strokes, patients are closely monitored in a neuro ICU. If an aneurysm is the cause, surgical or endovascular treatment may be necessary to stop the bleeding and prevent further damage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stroke
Recovery varies based on stroke type and severity. Some strokes have excellent outcomes, while others require longer rehabilitation. Most recovery occurs within the first six months. Ongoing care with your doctor and specialists is vital for preventing future strokes and supporting your recovery journey.
This answer varies depending on the type and severity of the stroke. Generally, stroke patients can expect a 2-3 day hospital stay to allow initial treatment and investigation of the stroke to occur. Patients will often leave the hospital with new medications to help prevent stroke. Additional considerations include the form of rehabilitation needed and how much assistance a patient will need. Physical, occupational, and speech therapy are forms of therapy used to help treat stroke patients. Many stroke patients require temporary inpatient hospital rehabilitation or transition to a nursing facility that has supportive therapies.
Yes. Managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes is essential. Blood thinners can help prevent strokes in people with atrial fibrillation. Healthy habits like exercise and weight control also reduce risk. Imaging can detect carotid artery plaque or brain aneurysms, which may be treated surgically or non-surgically. After a stroke, medications and a coordinated care plan can help prevent recurrence.
Several conditions raise stroke risk: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation. Lifestyle factors like smoking and heavy alcohol use also contribute. While stroke can affect any age group, men typically see increased risk in their 60s, and women in their 70s. Younger adults may be affected by trauma, clotting disorders, or migraines. A history of TIA or stroke also increases risk.
A transient ischemic attack or TIA is a warning sign of stroke. Symptoms of TIA’s are the same as those for stroke and often only last minutes. While only a small proportion of strokes are preceded by a TIA, these symptoms are very important since strokes can occur within days after a TIA occurs.
Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification & Awards for Stroke Care
Valley Baptist Medical Center – Harlingen is certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by DNV GL Healthcare, the first Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center in the Valley and south of San Antonio. Comprehensive Stroke Centers represent the most advanced stroke treatment available in each geographic area. The certification affirms that Valley Baptist Medical Center – Harlingen addresses the full spectrum of cerebrovascular diseases—diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and education—and establishes clear metrics to evaluate outcomes. It is based on standards created by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association.
Comprehensive Stroke Centers can treat patients suffering hemorrhagic or large ischemic strokes with follow-up care in an intensive care unit. They can also treat patients with suspected aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, those requiring specialized testing or therapies such as endovascular surgery, and those requiring multispecialty management.
Both Valley Baptist Medical Center – Harlingen and Valley Baptist Medical Center – Brownsville have been recognized with the American Heart Association’s “Gold Plus Get With The Guidelines – Stroke” quality achievement award.