Stroke Care
On average, someone suffers from a stroke every 40 seconds and someone dies from a stroke every 4 minutes. In all, 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year. The statistics are staggering, and make it clear why quick diagnosis and treatment are so important if you think you may be having a stroke. At Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, we know that a stroke can happen at any time. We're ready all the time — 24 hours a day to provide vital, immediate attention.
Also called a "brain attack," strokes occur when blood flow to the brain is disrupted. There are two different types:
- Ischemic stroke: when a blood clot blocks one of the vital blood vessels in the brain.
- Hemorrhagic stroke: when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into surrounding tissue.
Quick reaction is essential regardless of stoke type. Knowing the signs of a stroke and getting treatment quickly can make the difference between minimal and severe damage. Brain cells start to die within minutes of the blood supply being disrupted. Nearly 2 million brain cells die each minute during the onset of a stroke. A stroke can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability or even death.
Know the symptoms:
- Confusion or difficulty speaking/understanding
- Difficulty swallowing
- Sudden loss of vision
- Sudden numbness, weakness or paralysis of the face or on one side of the body
- Sudden severe headache
- Unexplained dizziness and/or loss of balance
"F.A.S.T." is a great way to remember the key symptoms of stroke and quickly determine whether one is occurring. The acronym encourages scrutiny of a person's face, arms and speech for any signs that are out of the ordinary, and it reminds that time is the critical factor in stroke diagnosis and treatment.
If you think you are having a stroke, or suspect a loved one is, call 911 immediately.
Impact Of Stroke (Stroke Statistics)
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Mat-Su Regional Medical Center is an Accredited Primary Stroke Center
Mat-Su Regional Medical Center is accredited as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission. Primary Stroke Center designation means that we have demonstrated expertise in the early assessment, rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke emergencies. The stroke team collaborates with local EMS to provide patients with quick access to our diagnostic and treatment technology.