What Happens During a Stroke?
A stroke is also called a brain attack. It happens because something blocks or reduces blood flow to your brain, or a blood vessel in your brain bursts. If your brain isn’t getting blood flow, brain damage, disability and death can occur. The quicker you get medical care and treatment for stroke, the better your outcome.
Stroke Symptoms
A stroke is a medical emergency. Know the signs and get treatment as quickly as possible.
Recognized Stroke Care Means Better Outcomes
St. Cloud Hospital is a leader in Minnesota for stroke care. You’ll benefit from:
- Nationally recognized, high-quality stroke care at our Neurosciences Stroke Center by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association
- Comprehensive Stroke Center certification from DNV Healthcare Accreditation Services means you’ll be well cared for and have the best possible chance of getting better because we meet strict stroke treatment standards and follow best practices
- Certified nurses, fellowship-trained doctors and dedicated support staff
- Exceptional quality standards surpassing national benchmarks
- Collaborative team of specialists
- Advanced technology and surgical techniques
- Extensive experience with stroke patients
- Comprehensive stroke prevention education
Innovative Telehealth Stroke Care
You have faster access to care close to home if your hospital uses telestroke services. From your town’s emergency room, you’ll get high-quality treatment from a stroke specialist at CentraCare – St. Cloud Hospital . They use video and audio technology to diagnose your condition and prescribe treatment as quickly as possible.
CentraCare Telestroke Locations
- Aitkin
- Alexandria
- Appleton
- Benson
- Dawson
- Glenwood
- Little Falls
- Long Prairie
- Madison
- Melrose
- Montevideo
- Monticello
- Morris
- Olivia
- Paynesville
- Redwood Falls
- Sauk Centre
- Staples
- St. Cloud
- Wadena
- Willmar
Lifesaving Stroke Care & Treatments
Rely on the experienced stroke team at CentraCare. They’ll give you a thorough assessment and advanced care — from diagnosis and treatment to recovery care and rehabilitation services.
Well-Rounded Care Team
The Stroke Center has a specialty team available 24/7. It includes neurosurgeons, interventional neurologists, advanced practice providers and emergency and neuro-critical care doctors. You’ll also have stroke-certified nurses taking care of you. This team works together to deliver the best stroke care throughout your hospital stay.
Stroke Diagnosis
Your doctors will work quickly to identify the type of stroke you’re experiencing. Then, they’ll start the right emergency treatment. You may have several tests, including a CT (computerized tomography) scan or other imaging tests, soon after arriving at the hospital. These tests help determine the type of stroke and treatment you need.
The two types of strokes are:
- Ischemic – A blood clot blocks blood flow to the brain
- Hemorrhagic – A brain artery leaks blood or bursts
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is known as a mini-stroke. It causes brief stroke symptoms, and then they stop. TIA usually doesn’t have any lasting effects.
Stroke Emergency Treatments
Seconds count when treating a stroke. Swift treatment can save your life. We work fast at the Neurosciences Stroke Center and other CentraCare locations to diagnose and treat strokes. Our time from diagnosis to treatment is faster than the national average, ensuring prompt care.
The emergency treatment you receive depends on the type of stroke you’re having:
- Ischemic stroke treatment must restore blood flow to your brain quickly. You may have medication to break up the blood clot. Or, you may have a minimally invasive thrombectomy to remove the blood clot and restore blood flow to your brain.
- Treatment of a hemorrhagic stroke must stop bleeding and reduce pressure in your brain. This stroke needs advanced, minimally invasive treatments to fix the aneurysm or blood vessels and stop the bleeding.
Stroke Rehabilitation & Recovery
Adjusting to the effects of a stroke can be hard. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by the changes it brings. Depend on the exceptional rehabilitation services at CentraCare – St. Cloud Hospital’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit. Our accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) ensures we consistently deliver high-quality care. This care aims to help you achieve optimal functioning and quality of life because your health means everything.
Lean on your caring, encouraging rehabilitation therapy team to help you regain as many of your previous abilities as possible. After a stroke, you may need help with speech, thinking, movement, daily tasks and self-care. Your team will provide the personalized care you need in your recovery journey.
Family Support After Stroke
It’s important to address family members' concerns after a loved one has a stroke. Your care team is your partner, providing guidance, coping techniques and reassurance during this uncertain time. This will help you provide better care for your loved one who has had a stroke.
Stroke Prevention
Talk to your doctor about ways to reduce your risk of another stroke. You may need to make lifestyle changes, manage other health conditions and take medications.
CentraCare offers an advanced treatment called transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR). It treats carotid artery disease to prevent future strokes.
Community Stroke Education
Preventing strokes begins by raising awareness and educating the communities we serve. We teach them about stroke risks and warning signs. We also teach them how to respond if someone is having a stroke.
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