Stroke
Comprehensive Stroke Care
Strokes are a leading cause of death and serious long-term disability. If you think you or a loved one is experiencing a stroke, it's important to know the signs and symptoms, act quickly and get the right treatment. A quick response can save lives and reduce the impact a stroke can have.
We are a leader in Louisiana and Mississippi for stroke care, offering 24/7 care for clot retrieval during a stroke. Our highly collaborative, expertly skilled team of clinical professionals is ready to respond and provide evidence-based care at a moment's notice.
Our world-class physicians, nurses and other clinical staff have extensive experience and training providing safe, effective care. We strive to:
- Coordinate timely identification and transport of stroke patients to the emergency department.
- Deliver timely and accurate diagnosis.
- Provide a comprehensive range of interventions and treatments.
- Provide a comprehensive range of rehabilitation services.
- Provide individual patient and community education on prevention strategies, early identification and appropriate response.
Click here to view 2023 Stroke Quality Metrics at St. Dominic Hospital.
When a Stroke Strikes, BE FAST and Visit the ER
Seconds count when it comes to a stroke, so recognizing symptoms and acting fast are crucial. This simple guide can save lives:
Prevention and education are pivotal to stroke patients’ recovery. Time is critical during a stroke, so we urge everyone to learn the signs of a stroke and B-E F-A-S-T (Balance, Eyesight, Face, Arm, Speech, Time):
- Balance Issues
Is the person having loss of coordination, trouble walking or dizziness? - Eyesight Changes
Is the person having double vision or any trouble seeing? - Face Drooping
Does the face look uneven? Ask the person to smile. - Arm Weakness
Does one arm drift down? Ask the person to raise both arms. - Speech Difficulty
Does their speech sound strange? Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. - Time
If you observe any of these signs, call 911 and get to the emergency room.
Stroke Warning Signs
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
Stroke Risk Factors Include:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Heavy alcohol use
- Physical inactivity and obesity
- Atrial fibrillation
- Family history of stroke
Do you know your stroke risk?
In the Greater Baton Rouge area, take our stroke risk assessment here
Risk AssessmentIn the Greater Jackson area, take our stroke risk assessment here
Risk AssessmentStroke Recovery in the Middle Years
Read Shannon's StoryThe Power of Prompt Action
Read Willie Mae's StoryDaughter’s Quick Thinking Leads to Father’s Stroke Recovery
Read Rachel Elise's Story
Tele-Stroke Programs
Our Tele-stroke programs connects our neurologists to patients in our emergency departments and to patients in outlying hospitals’ emergency departments using a telemedicine cart and laptop connections. Neurologists are able to quickly and efficiently provide a diagnosis and best treatment options using the technology.
The level of recovery from strokes is often greatly impacted by what action is taken in the first few hours after a stroke is discovered. With telemedicine, a suspected stroke patient can be seen by a specialist and receive an initial treatment at the community hospital long before they could have been transported directly to our care.