Caring for Stroke in Northern California
The stroke care program at Dignity Health North State offers complete care for strokes, including treatment and rehabilitation. Our stroke care centers are located in our Northern California hospitals and medical centers and are certified by the Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA).
If you are in need of stroke care in Northern California, Find a Doctor at Dignity Health North State. Stroke patients require a large number of providers working together as a team for the best outcomes. Our stroke care team includes:
- Stroke care coordinator
- Neurosurgeons
- Neurologists
- Interventional radiologists
- Certified stroke nurses
- Occupational, physical, and speech therapists
Stroke Explained: Causes and types
A stroke, often called a "brain attack," is a medical emergency occurring when blood flow to the brain is suddenly interrupted by a blocked artery (ischemic stroke, the most common type) or a ruptured blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). This oxygen deprivation causes rapid brain cell death and subsequent brain damage, impacting bodily functions controlled by those parts of the brain, including speech, movement, and memory. Recognizing stroke symptoms and seeking immediate medical attention by calling 911 is critical, as timely treatment can minimize brain damage and improve chances of recovery. Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs, commonly referred to as a 'mini stroke') are temporary blockages with stroke-like symptoms and serve as serious warning signs for a potential major stroke, also requiring prompt evaluation to help prevent future, more severe events. Understanding the urgency and acting fast are vital in managing stroke and its potentially devastating consequences.
Resources: Why Minutes Matter, Types of Stroke and Treatment
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Reasons for Stroke Care
Stroke can have a long-lasting impact on the life of the patient. Stroke care is necessary to meet the immediate needs of the patient, but is often necessary into the future for rehabilitation.
Stroke care programs treat stroke-related conditions, including:
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage — bleeding into the space between the brain and its covering
- TIA (transient ischemic attack or “mini-stroke”)
- Aneurysm — bulging of a blood vessel in the brain that can rupture and bleed
- AVM (arteriovenous malformation) — a tangle of blood vessels in the brain
- Stroke — either hemorrhagic or ischemic
Stroke Care at Dignity Health North State
The goal of Dignity Health North State’s stroke care centers is to provide the highest quality care to you or your family member after experiencing stroke. Our programs use evidence-based practices and are certified to conform to clinical practice guidelines for stroke. We offer a full range of services, including:
- Stroke education for caregivers and patients
- Antithrombotic therapy for ischemic stroke patients
- Catheter-based procedures and clot-busting medicines
- Anticoagulant therapy for ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter
- Statin medications for patients with LDL — or “bad” cholesterol — of 100 mg/dL or greater
- Stroke rehabilitation assessments
Quick emergency room care at the first sign of stroke symptoms is the initial step in your stroke care. The ER’s rapid-response team will determine the severity and cause of your stroke. Stroke treatment will depend on what type of stroke you have had. Dignity Health’s stroke care guidelines have very specific standards for the timing of stroke treatment.
What to Expect with Stroke Rehabilitation
You will receive personalized rehabilitation care when recovering in Dignity Health’s stroke care program. This high-level, specialized care continues even after you go home. It’s our goal to help you return to normal life as soon as possible.
The Dignity Health North State neurology program provides complete stroke care in Mt. Shasta, Red Bluff, and Redding, CA.
