Recognized Stroke Care in Southern California

Stroke care programs at Dignity Health Southern California offer the most advanced care, including treatment during a stroke and rehabilitation following the event.

Our stroke care centers are located in hospitals and medical centers across Southern California, and are certified by organizations like the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) and The Joint Commission.

If you’d like to meet with a specialist about a stroke care program in Southern California, Find a Doctor online or visit one of these locations:

Our compassionate doctors, nurses, and staff are fully committed to personalized care, from prevention to diagnosis of symptoms to treatment.

Why Stroke Care May be Needed

A stroke is a serious life event. It’s the leading cause of death and disability in the US and worldwide. At Dignity Health, our stroke care specialists include:

  • Neurosurgeons
  • Neurologists
  • Certified stroke nurses
  • Physical, occupational and speech therapists
  • Interventional radiologists
  • Stroke care coordinator

These experts treat a range of conditions, including:

  • Stroke — either ischemic or hemorrhagic
  • TIA (transient ischemic attack or “mini-stroke”)
  • Aneurysm — bulging of a blood vessel in the brain that can rupture and bleed
  • Subarachnoid hemorrhage — bleeding into the space between the brain and its covering
  • AVM (arteriovenous malformation) — a tangle of blood vessels in the brain

Stroke Care Services at Dignity Health Southern California

As certified stroke care programs, our staff must conform to clinical guidelines for stroke and use evidence-based practices.

Dignity Health Southern California focuses on these core elements of stroke care:

  • Stroke rehabilitation assessments
  • Stroke education for patients and caregivers
  • Clot-busting medicines and catheter-based procedures
  • Antithrombotic therapy for ischemic stroke patients
  • Anticoagulant therapy for ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter
  • Statin medications for patients with LDL (“bad” cholesterol) of 100 mg/dL or greater

What to Expect with Stroke Care

Getting to the ER is the first step in stroke care. Once there, a rapid-response team will work to determine the cause and severity of the stroke. Treatment will depend on the severity, but often includes clot-busting medications, certain types of therapy, and rehabilitation. When you visit a Dignity Health Southern California hospital, your stroke care will be personalized to your needs. This care doesn’t stop after you leave the hospital, but continues on after you go home, with the goal of helping you achieve optimal health and quality of life.

Dignity Health doctors provide comprehensive stroke care in Southern California, as part of our neurology services.

Warning signs of stroke.

BE FAST is a helpful acronym for remembering key stroke warning signs: sudden Balance loss/dizziness or coordination issues, Eye vision changes or trouble seeing, Face drooping or numbness, Arm weakness or numbness, and Speech difficulty or slurred words, urgently signaling Time to call 911. Recognizing these sudden symptoms is crucial for prompt medical attention, as every minute counts in minimizing brain damage. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, affecting many individuals annually, making immediate action based on BE FAST signs essential for improved survival and recovery. If you observe any of these BE FAST indicators, even if they disappear, call 911 right away. Given that many strokes happen at home, it's also important to educate your children about stroke signs and the importance of calling for help immediately if they see them. 

Resources: BE FAST: Learn the Stroke Warning Signs, Stroke Symptoms by American Stroke Association, Women and Stroke

symptoms of stroke

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Stroke Care in Southern CA | Stroke Rehabilitation