Nationally Recognized Stroke Program
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital is a leader in stroke care. The American Heart/Stroke Association named us a Gold Plus Quality Achievement award winner, and we are certified as a primary stroke center. We care for hundreds of patients suffering from acute strokes each year. Rapid recognition and emergency treatment of stroke with the most current treatments available, and an outstanding rehabilitation program, allow us to offer an unmatched continuum of care to our patients with stroke.
Our expert team of specialists and nurses has also developed an award-winning program designed to identify patients at higher risk for stroke. REACH® (Risk Evaluation in Action for Cardiovascular Health) is a ground-breaking screening, education and follow-up program that can assist in even preventing strokes from occurring.
Is It A Stroke?
Knowing the signs of stroke is essential to ensuring the fastest and most appropriate treatment.
The F.A.S.T. checklist, based on the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale, is an effective way to determine if someone is having a stroke:
- Face: Check to determine if one side of the face is drooping down. An easy way to do this is to ask the person to smile. Both sides of the face should be even.
- Arm: Ask the person to raise both arms. If one arm is suddenly immovable, this could also be a sign of stroke.
- Speech: Notice any strange speech patterns, sudden slurring or any inability to speak.
- Time: Every second of stroke time is lost brain time. The sooner you get to an emergency room, the better chances are for recovery.
Remember, TIME is BRAIN. Call 911 at any sign of stroke.
To make an initial appointment, consultation, a second opinion or to refer a patient to the Neurosciences Institute at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, please call us at 1.800.3.ADVOCATE (1.800.323.8622).
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