Suggested Links:

Neurosciences Institute Clinical Specialists

• Understanding Stroke, the Nation's Third Leading Killer
• Stroke Centers Receive National Recognition
• Concord and Walnut Creek Campuses Recognized for Implementing Quality Stroke Care
• Neurosciences Classes, Screenings and Support Groups

Awards:

John Muir Health Hospitals Receive American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines Gold Performance Achievement Award

Definition:

A stroke occurs when an artery of the brain becomes blocked or ruptured and disrupts the blood supply to a portion of the brain. Brain tissue can die or be injured causing a change in neurological function.

Warning Signs | Treatments Available | Stroke Risk Assessment Form | Related Links

Call 911 if you are experiencing any of these Common Symptoms/Warning Signs of Brain Attack:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

Not all of these warning signs occur in every stroke. If you experience some of these eymptoms, don't wait. Get help immediately. STROKE is a MEDICAL EMERGENCY - Call 9-1-1!

View an informative video produced by John Muir Health and Contra Costa Health Services which describes risks for stroke and measures one can take to reduce their risk for stroke.

Download convenient pocket carrier to print:

• Common Symptoms/Warning Signs of Brain Attack

Stroke Risk Assessment Form:

• American Heart Association's Stroke Risk Assessment Form

Treatments Available:

• Physician Referral
• Emergency Room Diagnosis & Treatment including intravenous clot-busting drugs available at both John Muir Health. IV tPA must be given within 3 hours of a stroke onset. Neurovascular procedures broaden the treatment time to 6 hours
• Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation
• Outpatient Rehabilitation
  • Physical Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Speech Pathology
  • Neuropsychology
  • Blood Pressure Screenings
  • Wellness
  • Neurology
  • Physiatry

For more information:

• American Heart Association
• American Stroke Association
• The Brain Attack Coalition
• Family Caregiver Alliance
• Merci Retrieval System
• The Stroke Collaborative (GiveMe5ForStroke.org)

Healthwise Links

• Acoustic Neuroma
• Stroke
• Stroke Rehabilitation
• Should I put my loved one in a nursing home?
• Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
• Are you at risk for a stroke?
• Should I take anticoagulants to prevent stroke?
• Should I try cardioversion for atrial fibrillation?
• Should I take statins for high cholesterol?
• Statins for high cholesterol
• Should I have a surgical procedure for peripheral arterial disease?
• Should I have carotid endarterectomy for stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)?
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure (Hypertension)
• ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure
• Anticoagulants for stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• Antiplatelets for stroke and TIA
• Apraxia
• Aspirin combined with extended-release dipyridamole for stroke and transient ichsemic attack (TIA)
• Aspirin for stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• Atrial Fibrillation
• Fact sheet: stroke