Emergency Room for Stroke Care

A stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is reduced or cut off, depriving the brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. When the brain doesn’t get the oxygen and nutrients it needs, brain cells can deteriorate quickly, which can lead to brain damage, disability, or even death if the stroke is not treated fast enough.

There are two types of stroke. An ischemic stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is restricted or blocked. This is the most common type of stroke, making up just under 90% of all strokes. The other 10% of strokes are called hemorrhagic strokes. This type of stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or bursts, leading to bleeding in or around the brain.

Either type of stroke is a major medical emergency that requires swift treatment to minimize the damage to the brain. Recognizing symptoms early and getting treatment as soon as possible is vital. It could even be life saving.

An ischemic stroke is caused when blood flow to the brain is somehow restricted or blocked. These restrictions or blockages are commonly caused by fatty deposits called plaque that build up on the walls of blood vessels (this is called “atherosclerosis”), or by blood clots.

Common risk factors for atherosclerosis that can lead to a stroke include high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides, and diabetes. Unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, and smoking can cause or worsen these risk factors. If you have a family history of atherosclerosis or if you are a man over the age of 45 or a woman over the age of 55, you could be at increased risk.

Atherosclerosis is also one of the factors that can lead to blood clots that cause stroke. These clots can also form because of irregular heart beat, heart defects, infections that reach the bloodstream, and other blood clotting disorders. Blood clots can originate in the brain (this is called “thrombosis”), or they can travel to the brain from somewhere else in the body (this is called an “embolism”).

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures or forms a leak. Risk factors for hemorrhagic stroke include uncontrolled high blood pressure, aneurysms, head trauma, weakness in blood vessel walls caused by protein deposits, brain tumors, overuse of blood-thinning medications, ischemic stroke that causes bleeding in the brain, and other conditions that weaken the blood vessels in the brain.

Yes. If you think you’ve had a stroke, or if you think someone you know has had a stroke, you should get to the closest emergency room for care immediately. The faster you can get to an emergency room, the faster you can be treated, and the more likely you will be to avoid permanent brain damage, disability, or death. Some of the most effective treatments for stroke must be administered within 3 hours of the first symptoms of a stroke, so again, the sooner you can get to an emergency room to be treated for a stroke, the better.

PLEASE NOTE: A person who is experiencing a stroke should not attempt to drive. It’s best to call 911.

If you think you or a friend or family member is having a stroke, the doctors and nurses at Surepoint ER are here to help. We’re experienced with many trauma and neurological services, including stroke, and we’re available 24/7 to provide you with stabilization and initial care. Our doctors will evaluate and assess your condition to determine whether you’re having a stroke, what type of stroke you are having, and what treatment is appropriate. Once treatment has begun, our emergency care team may wish to keep you overnight for observation or further care. We can also make arrangements to have you transferred to a local hospital if necessary – we’ll handle all the steps so you and your loved ones can focus on recovery.