Stroke - CVA
Stroke, or Cardiovascular Accident, is a medical emergency. If you believe you or someone near you is having a stroke, call 911 immediately!
What is a Stroke?
A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack." Stroke occurs when the blood flow to the brain is interrupted. When that happens, brain cells in the immediate area begin to die, because they are deprived of oxygen and the nutrients needed to survive.
Types of Stroke
There are three main types of stroke: Ischemic, hemorrhagic, and transient ischemic attack (TIA).
- Ischemic stroke is caused by a blood clot blocking or plugging a blood vessel or artery in the brain. Approximately 80% of all strokes are ischemic.
- Hemorrhagic stroke It is caused by a blood vessel in the brain that bursts and then bleeds into the brain. About 20% of strokes are known to be hemorrhagic.
- TIA is a "warning stroke," sometimes called a "mini-stroke." TIAs occur when a blood clot temporarily clogs an artery and part of the brain does not get the blood it needs. TIA symptoms are the same as a stroke, but last a short time, most lasting only a few minutes. However, TIA's still need immediate medical treatment.
By their nature, all strokes require swift, appropriate attention. Each type of stroke may have its own character, but none can wait. From our state-of-the-art St. Vincent’s Emergency Department to our highly respected neurologists and nurses and skilled medical support staff, our stroke teams provide the kind of high-quality, best-practices care that best meets the need for timely, precise medical intervention.
St. Vincent’s was named Gold Performance Achievement Award winner by the American Stroke Association guidelines program, which uses key measures for 24 months to make its determination. These include immediate use by the Stroke Center of effective medications and therapies as well as smoking-cessation.
Our goal at St. Vincent’s Primary Stroke Center of Excellence is to decrease the number of strokes; to give both hope and assistance to those who have suffered stroke; and to help those in our community who have been touched by stroke.
Contact us
To find a St. Vincent’s physician who can discuss your health concerns or those of a loved one, please click on our FIND A DOCTOR tool and search by specialty, practice, location or keyword. We’re here to help you locate the medical expert you need.
To speak with a St. Vincent's Care Line representative, call (877) 255-7847
To speak with somone at the front desk of the Medical Center, please call (203) 576-6000
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