Primary Stroke Center

In early 2012, Antelope Valley Hospital attained advanced certification by The Joint Commission as a Certified Primary Stroke Center. This signifies that AVH provides the most advanced stroke care and ensures a team of specialized stroke neurologists and nurses are available at all times. Primary Stroke Centers use an evidence-based, standardized method of delivering care, customize treatment and intervention to the patient’s needs and share information across providers to provide the best care possible.

Having a local Certified Primary Stroke Center provides numerous benefits to the Antelope Valley community, and more lives will be saved because patients can be treated quickly after a stroke occurs. Prior to AVH’s accreditation, the nearest Primary Stroke Center for Antelope Valley residents was located nearly 50 miles away.

What are the early signs of stroke?

It is important to know the early signs of stroke. Call 911 immediately if you or someone you are with shows signs of having a stroke. Do not try to drive yourself to the hospital. It is important to get care quickly because you may be given a medicine that can reduce or even reverse damage caused by some strokes. It must be given soon after symptoms start. Treatment and recovery may depend on how soon you get care.

Stroke symptoms can vary. They can start slowly or come on quickly. You may wake up with the symptoms. Act quickly and call 911 immediately if these symptoms come on SUDDENLY:

• Numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Confusion or trouble speaking or understanding
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance or coordination
• Severe headache

A stroke can happen with just one of these symptoms. Sometimes people have stroke-like symptoms that go away quickly (called a transient ischemic attack or TIA). Do not ignore these signs! Many people who have these warning signs go on to have a permanent stroke.

What you should know about stroke

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability among adults in the United States. A stroke can be devastating to patients and their families. Strokes can range from mild to severe and can happen at any age. They can occur in different parts of the brain and may affect different body functions.

What is a stroke?

A stroke, or "brain attack," occurs when the blood supply stops flowing to a part of the brain. Brain cells die from the lack of oxygen. Most strokes are caused by a clot that blocks blood flow to the brain. Some strokes are caused by bleeding into the brain.

What are your risks for stroke?

People at risk for stroke include the elderly, those who have had a stroke or stroke-like symptoms, and people with a family history of stroke. Health problems and behaviors that increase your risk for stroke include:

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Some types of irregular heartbeat, such as atrial fibrillation
• A high sodium diet or unhealthy eating habits
• Lack of exercise
• Smoking
• Some illegal drug or alcohol abuse

What should you do if you are at increased risk for stroke?

Talk to your doctor about your risks and how to lower them to help prevent a stroke. Know your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar results. Ask what you can do to improve them. When talking to your doctor, write down the answers and make sure you understand what you are hearing. Do not be afraid to speak up or ask where you can find more information. Tell your doctor what medicines you are taking. Include prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines and herbal supplements. Also tell your doctor about any special diet you are following.

Be prepared by finding out where to get the best stroke care possible. The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association publishes a free locator of Joint Commission certified stroke centers. Antelope Valley Hospital is a Primary Stroke Center.

Ask a friend or relative to be your advocate. If you have a severe stroke, your advocate can be your eyes, ears, arms and legs if you are unable to do things for yourself. Show your advocate this brochure, so they know what questions to ask about your treatment.

Consider getting legal documents such as a health care proxy or a power of attorney, if you do not already have them. A stroke may cause you to be confused or unable to speak, so you may want to designate someone you trust to make decisions when you cannot.

What happens after a stroke?

After a stroke, you will probably have many questions about what happened and what treatments are available. If the stroke was severe, you may not be able to ask questions for yourself. You or your advocate should ask:

• What are the effects of having this type of stroke? Paralysis? Difficulty walking or talking?
• What can be done to improve your chance of recovery?
• Where in the brain did the stroke occur? Can the doctor draw a picture of the affected area or show you on a scan where it occurred?
• What tests are being done? What are the results? What do the results mean?
• What is being done to prevent other health problems, such as blood clots?
• What new medicines are recommended?
• What are the benefits and side effects of the new medicines?
• Will the new medicines interact with your current medicines, over-the-counter medicines, or dietary or herbal supplements? Make sure you or your advocate give the doctor a current list of your medicines and supplements.
• Can a medicine be changed if it costs too much or causes side effects?
• Will surgery or another type of treatment be necessary?
• When will rehabilitation (rehab) begin? Stroke rehab will help you achieve the best possible recovery and quality of life. Rehab should begin while you are in the hospital.
• In the case of a severe stroke, your advocate can also:
  • Remind caregivers that you have had a stroke. The advocate can tell caregivers what you can and cannot do.
  • Remind visitors that you may not be able to speak, but you can still hear.
  • Ask caregivers and visitors to wash their hands to prevent the spread of infection.

What can you expect in recovery?

No one can predict how long it will take to recover from a stroke, or how much you will recover. What is important is to prevent another stroke. If you have had a stroke, the chance of having another one increases. Speak up and tell your doctor you want to reduce your risk of having another stroke.

Before leaving the hospital, you and your advocate should work with the social worker and care team to determine how to continue your recovery. Ask:

• What is your long term outlook for work, daily activities, physical activity and mental function?
• What type of rehab will you need? Home care? Outpatient? Inpatient?
• Is rehab covered by your insurance? If not, ask the social worker what services are available in your area.
• Will you need long term rehab or lifelong exercises?
• How often should you see a doctor?
• What kinds of tests will be done to see if treatments or medicines are helping?
• What are your treatment goals? For example, what should your blood pressure be?
• Are there any alternative or complementary treatments, such as massage, that will help?
• What kinds of symptoms or changes should always be reported to a doctor?
• Should you join a support group?
• During this time, it is important to:
  • Be realistic about your abilities. Identify what you can do and build on it.
  • Allow people to help you. If people ask, give them something specific to do.
  • Talk to your doctor if you are feeling blue or fatigued. Do not ignore these symptoms. Make sure you are evaluated and treated, if necessary.
  • Educate yourself. Learn about the stroke resources available in your community, online and at your local library.

Links for more information

FAST: Warning signs of stroke