Diagnosing and Treating Stroke

If you have a stroke, getting medical care as quickly as possible can help prevent death or minimize the lasting effects of stroke. That's why it is important for you to understand what strokes are, know the signs of a possible stroke, learn your risk factors for having a stroke and identify what you can do to help minimize your risk for stroke.

If you or someone around you begins to show signs of stroke, do not hesitate. Call 9-1-1 immediately or get to a hospital right away.

Find a Doctor for Stroke Care and Treatment at Palmdale Regional

If you need a referral to a physician at Palmdale Regional Medical Center, call our free physician referral service at 1-800-851-9780.

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States, according to the federal National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the American Stroke Association. The National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), part of NIH, says that more than 795,000 Americans have a stroke and almost 130,000 people die from stroke every year. In fact, stroke is the fourth-leading cause of death in this country, and the leading cause of serious long-term disabilities than any other disease.

Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Strokes?

Test your knowledge about strokes, including risk factors, symptoms and statistics.

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More than 75 percent of people who have a stroke are over 65 years of age, and the risk of stroke doubles every decade after age 55, according to NINDS. Of all the people who have a stroke each year, about one fourth are among people who have had a prior stroke.

Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification from The Joint Commission

The certification recognizes the hospital's commitment to fostering continuous quality improvement in patient safety and quality of care.

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Stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain can't get the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function, and the brain cells in that area start to die.

Podcast: Primary Stroke Designation

Palmdale Regional has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers.

Kamran Parsa, DO, shares the treatment Palmdale Regional offers and why the quality of care sets Palmdale Regional apart from other hospitals.

Podcast: The Important Warning Signs of a Stroke

If you have a stroke, getting medical care as quickly as possible can help prevent death or minimize the lasting effects of stroke.

Michelle Irving, RN, Coordinator/Stroke Program, discusses why it is important for you to know the signs and symptoms of a stroke, risk factors, and identify what you need to do in case you or a loved is suffering a stroke.

Did You Know?

Stroke is the third-leading cause of death for Hispanic women in the United States. 

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Stroke Treatment at Palmdale Regional Medical Center

If you arrive at Palmdale Regional Medical Center after showing signs of a possible stroke, our emergency team is ready to quickly evaluate your condition and begin treatment, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A wide range of healthcare professionals may be involved in your care, including:

  • Emergency physicians
  • Emergency nurses
  • Neurologists
  • Neurosurgeons
  • Neuroradiologists
  • Medical technicians

Warning Signs of Possible Stroke: Act F.A.S.T

Stroke can often result in paralysis or weakness on one side of the body, vision problems, memory loss, thinking and reasoning problems, and difficulty speaking, understanding speech and swallowing. The severity of effects depends heavily on how fast a stroke victim receives medical treatment.

Here are some tips from the American Heart Association's Stroke Association branch on quickly recognizing stroke:

F = FACE:
Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A = ARMS:
Ask the person to hold up both arms. Does one drift downward?
S = SPEECH:
Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “Do you know what time it is?” Are the words slurred? Does the person repeat the phrase correctly?
T = TIME:
If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important. Call 9-1-1 immediately.

Stroke Prevention Program

In addition to providing high quality care by skilled healthcare professionals who treat stroke victims, Palmdale Regional Medical Center offers comprehensive stroke prevention services to help you and others lower your risk of stroke and decrease your chance of being left with serious disabilities should you have a stroke. Through our stroke prevention services, people can learn about their personal risk of having a stroke, and how to reduce their risk with simple lifestyle modifications.

With expanded facilities and advanced treatments, Palmdale Regional Medical Center offers high quality care and a wide range of medical services for people who have a stroke, including physical, speech and occupational therapy, cardiac care, surgery and many neurological services.

Find a doctor for stroke care and treatment at Palmdale Regional

If you need a referral to a physician at Palmdale Regional Medical Center, call our free physician referral service at 1-800-851-9780.