My Iredell
Patient portal
My Iredell
Call 911. When a stroke strikes, every second counts.
Our commitment to that fact helped us earn full certification by The Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Quick diagnosis and treatment are critical to surviving a stroke. Each year, about 700,000 people have strokes in America, according to the American Heart Association. Approximately, 157,000 deaths are attributed to stroke each year. For those who survive, stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability. Depending on the severity of the stroke and how quickly it's treated, brain damage can be permanent or even deadly.
Should a stroke occur, act fast. Warning signs come on suddenly and may include:
- Numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side.
- Confusion or trouble speaking or understanding.
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
- Severe headache with no known cause.
If you have any of these signs (even if they improve after a few minutes), call 911. Do not be reluctant to report your symptoms. Our Emergency Department works closely with EMTs in preparation for the patient's arrival at the hospital.
Speed matters
Treatment with a drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can dramatically lessen the effects of some strokes—but only if it's given within three hours. The clock starts when the symptoms start, not when you get to the emergency room. This makes it important to note the time when symptoms begin.
Reviewed 3/5/2023
Stroke: Myth or fact?
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. In fact, every 3 minutes, 17 seconds, an American dies from stroke, accounting for 1 out of every 21 deaths in the country. In addition, about 610,000 people have a stroke for the first time each year. Test yourself to see if you know the facts about this condition—and how to respond to it.
Myth or fact: A stroke is a type of heart attack.
Myth. A stroke is an attack on the brain, not the heart. Most strokes occur because a clot is blocking a blood vessel to the brain. Less frequently, strokes occur because a blood vessel in the brain has ruptured.
Myth or fact: It's hard to tell if someone is having a stroke.
Myth. FAST is an acronym that can help people identify when a stroke is occurring and respond quickly. It stands for:
Facial droop.
Arm or leg weakness.
Speech difficulty.
Time to call 911 to get that person to the hospital as fast as possible.
Myth or fact: After calling 911 for help, you should give an aspirin to the person having a stroke.
Myth. That instruction might be OK for a heart attack if the operator says to, but it doesn't work for a stroke. In fact, aspirin could worsen the situation if the person is having a bleeding stroke.
Myth or fact: A stroke can occur gradually, even over several days.
Myth. Strokes occur suddenly, usually without warning. If there is a warning, it comes in the form of a temporary stroke—called a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or warning stroke. Although symptoms of a TIA are temporary, you should take them seriously and see a doctor.
Myth or fact: You can recover from a stroke.
Fact. Most strokes are caused by blood clots. These clots can be broken up and blood flow to the brain restored if you get to the hospital quickly. After that, a stroke rehabilitation program can help you recover some or possibly all of the abilities affected by the stroke.
While it's possible to recover from a stroke, it's also possible to help prevent one from occurring. The first step is to find out your risk for stroke and talk with a doctor about ways to reduce it.
- American Heart Association. "Aspirin and Heart Disease." https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/treatment-of-a-heart-attack/aspirin-and-heart-disease.
- American Stroke Association. "Ischemic Stroke (Clots)." https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/types-of-stroke/ischemic-stroke-clots.
- American Stroke Association. "Stroke Symptoms." https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-symptoms.
- American Stroke Association. "TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack)." https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/types-of-stroke/tia-transient-ischemic-attack.
- American Stroke Association. "Why Getting Quick Stroke Treatment is Important." https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/types-of-stroke/is-getting-quick-stroke-treatment-important.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Stroke Facts." https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm.
What is a stroke?
Strokes happen when blood is prevented from reaching the brain, usually by a blood clot or a broken blood vessel. Without adequate blood, brain cells die. That can cause trouble speaking, paralysis and other problems.
What are the risk factors for stroke?
- Increasing age.
- Family history.
- High blood pressure.
- Tobacco smoke.
- High cholesterol.
- Physical inactivity.
- Excess weight.
- Diabetes.
- Atrial fibrillation.
Risk factors unique to women:
Use of birth control pills. Birth control pills increase the likelihood of blood clots and is compounded when you smoke.
Pregnancy. Although the risk is small, pregnancy increases a woman's chance of stroke because, among other things, it raises blood pressure and puts stress on the heart.
Use of hormone therapy. A combined hormone therapy of progestin and estrogen, sometimes taken to lessen the physical effects of menopause, raises stroke risk, according to the National Stroke Association (NSA).
Having a thick waist and a high triglyceride level. Postmenopausal women with a waist size larger than 35.2 inches and a triglyceride level higher than 128 milligrams per deciliter may have a fivefold increased risk for stroke, reports the NSA.
For some women, additional steps, such as avoiding birth control pills or hormone therapy, or taking low-dose aspirin, might also be recommended. Your doctor can help you form the best prevention plan, based on your unique risk profile.
Why Choose Iredell Health System?
TESS
Our Emergency Department has a telestroke robot nicknamed TESS (Treat & Evaluate Stroke Symptoms). The robot provides rapid 24/7 access to Atrium Wake Forest Baptist stroke experts and to the latest state-of-the-art stroke therapies and interventions.
Gold Plus Stroke Award
The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association recognize Iredell Memorial for achieving 85 percent or higher adherence to all Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Performance Achievement Indicators for consecutive 12-month intervals and 75 percent or higher compliance with 5 of 8 Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Quality measures to improve quality of patient care and outcomes.
Stroke Center certification
The Joint Commission has certified Iredell Memorial Hospital as a Primary Stroke Center for our long-term success in improving the outcomes of stroke patients.
Our designation as a Primary Stroke Center means we have:
- A trained team that can quickly diagnose and treat stroke patients.
- Established protocols in evaluating stroke patients.
- Technologies to diagnose and treat stroke patients.
- Ongoing education to stay abreast of innovations in stroke treatment.
- A proven record for long-term success in improving outcomes.
Remember, don't hesitate. Call 911.
Stroke rehab
Our Rehabilitation Therapy Team (physical, occupational and speech therapists) works with patients in and out of the hospital to help them regain physical ability, everyday skills, and speech and swallowing functions that may have been impaired by a stroke.
Our therapists employ a variety of therapeutic procedures and equipment for prompt and effective treatment of inpatients, home-bound patients and outpatients. We are prepared to assist patients with their rehabilitation needs from start to finish.
If appropriate, rehabilitation services can be provided in the home through Iredell Home Health agency. For those individuals ready to take their rehabilitation program to the next level, we offer outpatient rehabilitation services on the third floor of the Iredell Medical Plaza building next to the hospital.