Fast Treatment for Stroke: Essential for Recovery
From BestHealth, July 2007
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center has long been a leader in stroke research, diagnosis and clinical care. That was good news for Robin Schneider, who had a stroke unexpectedly at work. At 47, Schneider had no risk factors and had shown no warning signs.
“I was at work and suddenly I was seeing triple,” she said. “As a nurse I knew I needed to seek emergency care quickly,” she said. “Once I arrived in the Emergency Department at Wake Forest Baptist, I was assessed within minutes. I had the best experience and I could not have had better care.”
Wake Forest Baptist has five board-certified stroke specialists who are on call 24 hours a day, with more than 50 years of combined experience in stroke treatment. The Emergency Department here has 24-hour capability to administer the clot-busting drug called t-PA and access to the most advanced imaging technology available for rapid diagnosis and treatment. Wake Forest Baptist also has a dedicated hospital unit for stroke patients staffed by professionals with advanced training in stroke care.
“Our rehabilitation experts help stroke patients recover with as much function as possible,” said Dr. Charles Tegeler, director of the Comprehensive Stroke Center. “Inpatient care is offered in the J. Paul Sticht Center. Outpatient care is at CompRehab Plaza, which has convenient parking and easy access to our facilities. Our rehabilitation team includes neurologists who specialize in stroke rehabilitation, nurses, social workers, physical, occupational, recreational and speech therapists, dietitians, and neuropsychologists.”
Access to the latest research in stroke care and clinical trials is another strength. Schneider enrolled in Wake Forest Baptist’s stroke prevention study, which follows participants for four years. The study tracks her health and answers her questions about stroke recovery.
“It really helps to have access to physicians who immediately return my calls when I have questions,” she said. “When I need something, they are immediately available.”
One of the first three National Institutes of Health-funded stroke centers in the nation, the Stroke Center at Wake Forest Baptist is accredited by the Joint Commission.
To learn more about stroke treatment, warning signs or risk factors, call Health On-Call® at 1-800-446-2255.
Warning Signs
Call 911 or head to the nearest emergency room if you suddenly experience any of these stroke symptoms:
• Numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding someone speaking to you
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance
• Severe headache with no known cause
Reduce your stroke risk
Some risk factors are beyond your control: over 65, being male, African-American, having diabetes or family history of stroke.
But there are lifestyle choices that help you lessen your stroke risk:
• Control your blood pressure.
• Maintain a healthy cholesterol level.
• Control sleep apnea.
• Stop smoking.
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
• Control your weight.
Health On-Call® 1-800-446-2255. Nurses are available 24 hours a day to answer your health care questions, help you select physicians and provide information about Medical Center programs and services.