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Stroke Care

Content medically reviewed by: Venkata Dandamudi, MD and Vikram Jadhav, MBBS

Essentia Health's multi-disciplinary stroke team provides timely treatment for all types of stroke such as ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, TIA, and other kinds of specialty brain care including aneurysms.

Experiencing Stroke Symptoms?

If you're experiencing stroke-like symptoms, call 911 immediately.

What is a Stroke?

A stroke or “brain attack” occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is cut off. When this happens, brain cells begin to die and abilities controlled by the affected area of the brain are impacted. These abilities include speech, movement and memory.

Warning Signs of Stroke

You and your family should know the signs and symptons of a stroke. They include:

  • Sudden weakness or numbness in your face, arm, or leg – especially on one side of your body or not the other.
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
  • Sudden dizziness or falls.
  • Sudden trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination.
  • Sudden nausea, fever, or vomiting. This differs from a viral illness, which builds slowly.
  • Sudden fainting spells, convulsions, or loss of consciousness.

Essentia Health uses the letters B-E-F-A-S-T to help you know how to recognize and respond to the first signs of a stroke.

  • Balance – Is their balance or coordination suddenly gone?
  • Eyes – Did their vision suddenly change?
  • Face – Does their face look uneven?
  • Arms – Does their drift down?
  • Speech – Does their speech sound strange?
  • Time – Every second, brain cells die. Call 911 right away.

What to Do if You're Having a Stroke

If you're experiencing stroke symptoms, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.

Time is brain - every minute the brain is without oxygen, millions of brain cells die.

Clot busting drugs can only be given in a short amount of time after symptom onset – so get care immediately.

Call 911 and do not drive yourself. The ambulance knows where to bring you and can alert the hospital so the stroke team is ready to act quickly.

Types of Stroke

There are several different types of stroke, all of which require medical evaluation and treatment.

  • Ischemic Stroke

    This type of stroke is the most common and is caused by blood clots blocking blood flow to the brain. It occurs when an artery in the brain becomes blocked.

  • Hemorrhagic Stroke

    Hemorrhagic strokes are caused when a weakened blood vessel bursts. These ruptures are most often caused by untreated high blood pressure.

  • Transcient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

    A transient ischemic attack (TIA), also called a warning stroke, is caused by a temporary clot. A TIA is a major warning sign that needs to be taken seriously as it may be a precursor to a full-scale stroke.

Streamlined Stroke Diagnosis

When you arrive at an Essentia emergency room with stroke symptoms, your care team assesses your condition right away so you can get the right treatment as soon as possible. To diagnose your stroke, your doctor will:

  • Ask about your symptoms
  • Physically examine you
  • Review your medical records
  • Order an imaging test, such as a computed tomography (CT) scan within 10 minutes of arrival

If you come to the hospital by ambulance, paramedics begin evaluating your condition and communicating with Essentia doctors while you’re in route so we can expedite your care.

Timely Stroke Treatment and Medication

Your stroke treatment will depend on the type of stroke you are experiencing and how much time has passed since your symptoms started.

If you’re a candidate for a clot-busting medication, such as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) or tenecteplase (TNK), rely on us to get you the medication quickly.

If you’d benefit from a surgical treatment that’s not available at your location, depend on us to quickly and safely transport you to the nearest hospital that performs the most effective treatment for your condition.

Stroke Specialists

Stroke treatment is complex and requires many different specialists, including:

If you or a loved one show signs and symptoms of stroke, call 911 for immediate medical attention. Prompt treatment may save your life and help reduce long-term effects of a stroke.

Recognitions & Certifications

At Essentia Health, we have also been nationally recognized for the stroke care we provide at several of our facilities including:

  • Interventional Neurology - Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center (Duluth, Building B)
  • Interventional Neurology - Essentia Health-32nd Avenue Clinic (Fargo)

    • To see a list of other recognitions Essentia has received, visit our Awards & Recognitions page.

Stroke Prevention

Many strokes are preventable by managing risk factors and making healthy lifestyle changes. While some factors, like age and genetics, can't be changed, others—such as high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, and lack of exercise—can be controlled. Eating healthy, exercising, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, and managing stress can significantly lower your stroke risk. Use tools like the Stroke Risk Scorecard and consult your healthcare provider to assess and address your risk factors. Visit our Ways to Prevent a Stroke webpage to learn more.

Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation

At Essentia, stroke recovery begins immediately with a care team helping plan your rehabilitation and connect you to community resources. Recovery options include inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing, home health care, outpatient therapy, and neuropsychology services. A team of therapists works to restore strength, independence, and communication skills. Life after a stroke involves managing challenges like aphasia, emotional changes, and fatigue, with support from caregivers and stroke support groups. Follow-up care ensures ongoing rehabilitation and guidance from specialists to help you navigate recovery. Visit our Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation page to learn more.

Services Offered

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