Stroke

If you or a loved one is having a stroke, call 911 immediately!

UF Health is a certified Comprehensive Stroke Center by both the Joint Commission and American Stroke Association/American Heart Associations. This certification is given to a select group of high-ranking facilities focused on providing the highest standard in stroke care. Comprehensive Stroke Centers are recognized nationally as leaders in their field, setting the national agenda in expert stroke care.

What is a stroke?

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted or reduced. Brain cells can die within minutes, making stroke a medical emergency where time plays a major role. Early action and rapid treatment can reduce brain damage and permanent complications such as loss of motor skills or speech.

If you notice stroke symptoms, think B.E. F.A.S.T. to get your family members or friends immediate care. Stroke symptoms may come and go or possibly disappear altogether. But if you detect any of the following, call 911. Thinking B.E. F.A.S.T. can save your friends’ and family members’ lives.

• Balance. Does the person have sudden dizziness or loss of balance while walking or standing?
• Eyes. Does the person have sudden trouble seeing out of one or both eyes?
• Face. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
• Arms. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward or is unable to rise?
• Speech. Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is speech slurred or strange?
• Time. If you observe any of these signs, call 911 immediately.

Are there different kinds of strokes?

There are two common types of strokes, including:

• Ischemic stroke: When a blood vessel that supplies oxygen to the brain becomes blocked, reducing the amount of oxygen to the brain. Ischemic strokes account for 87% of all strokes.There are two common types of ischemic strokes:
• Thrombotic strokes occur when a blood clot forms inside the brain. are caused by a blood clot that develops in the blood vessels inside the brain.
• Embolic strokes occur when a blood clot occurs in the body, then travels to the brain via blood vessels.
  • Hemorrhagic stroke: Occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures or leaks, leading to bleeding in or around the brain. Hemorrhagic stroke account for 13% of all strokes. There are two types of hemorrhagic stroke:
    • Intracerebral hemorrhages occur inside the brain, the most common cause is uncontrolled high blood pressure
    • Subarachnoid hemorrhages occur near the surface of the brain and in between the brain and its covering. The most common cause is due to aneurysm.

While ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke are the most common, there are other kinds, including transient ischemic attack, or TIA, cryptogenic stroke, and brain stem stroke.

Why choose UF Health for stroke care?

The UF Health Shands Comprehensive Stroke Center received our Joint Commission and American Stroke Association/American Heart Association certifications by meeting rigorous standards and requirements including:

• State-of-the-art infrastructure, like:
  • Our Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit, or MSTU, the first MSTU in the state of Florida.
  • Around-the-clock availability of staff, imaging, two hybrid operating rooms and endovascular procedures
  • 24/7 availability of specialized treatments
  • Advanced imaging capabilities
  • Neuromedicine ICU and dedicated neuromedicine and surgical acute care wards.

• Expertise in treating patients with strokes of all kinds. This includes ischemic, intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage strokes.
• 24/7 availability of specialized treatments.
• Advanced imaging capabilities.
• Board-certified vascular neurologists, neurosurgeons, neurocritical care, endovascular providers, and radiologists.
• Magnet Nursing designated facility with professionally certified registered nurses specialized in neuroscience nursing care for stroke patients.
• Patient/family-centered, collaborative care planning with stroke specialists, including neurorehabilitation therapists, pharmacists, social workers, and case managers.

What are the treatment options for stroke?

Treatment depends heavily on the type and severity of stroke and how quickly a patient receives treatment. Common treatment options for stroke include:

• Intravenous thrombolysis: Administered through a vein, this medication dissolves a blood clot, or clots, improving blood flow to the brain. Intravenous thrombolysis is most effective when given within the first few hours after stroke symptoms begin.

• Surgery: Surgery stroke treatment be needed in cases where there is bleeding in the brain or a blockage in the carotid artery.
  • Endovascular thrombectomy, or EVT: A minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove a blood clot in the brain using a catheter and a stent retriever. EVT is most effective when performed within the first 24 hours.
  • Carotid artery surgery: A surgery done to restore blood flow to the brain by removing blockages in the carotid artery.
  • Other stroke treatments include cerebral angioplasty and stent placement, specific mechanical thrombectomies, repair of a damaged blood vessel, repair of cerebral aneurysms.

• Antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications: Antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications prevent the formation of blood clots or make them less likely to form. They are used to prevent future strokes in patients who have had a stroke or are at high risk, such as after suffering a transient ischemic attack.

• Identifying & Treating Stroke Risk Factors: Did you know that up to 80% of all strokes are preventable by managing your personal (aka: modifiable) stroke risk factors? These are personal stroke risk factors we can control: high blood pressure, heart disease, smoking, diabetes, physical inactivity, obesity, high blood cholesterol, diet and nutrition. There are also a variety of medications available to help support patients to reduce their risks.

• Rehabilitation: Stroke rehabilitation is often prescribed in recovery to help patients regain function and independence after a stroke. It commonly involves physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.

Time is an essential factor in all kinds of stroke treatment, as rapid treatment can drastically reduce brain damage and improve long-term outcomes for stroke survivors.

Act FAST! Learn the signs of a stroke