Stroke
A stroke is a medical emergency where blood flow to the brain is either reduced or stopped, depriving brain tissue of essential oxygen and nutrients. A stroke may cause loss in brain function and affect movement and speech.
Emergency stroke treatment in Hudson, Florida
When someone experiences a stroke, finding emergency care close to home is critical.
At HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital, our physicians provide emergency stroke treatment in the Pasco County area. Our emergency room (ER) is open 24/7, and we are always prepared to provide lifesaving stroke care.
Stroke is a medical emergency.
If you believe someone is having a stroke, call 911 immediately.
If you believe someone is having a stroke, call 911 immediately.
Related Specialties
Learn more about our related specialties
Our stroke care program
Our hospital's stroke services are designed to support our patients from their initial diagnosis and treatment through recovery and rehabilitation.
Nationally recognized stroke treatment
Our hospital has been certified by DNV GL Healthcare as a Comprehensive Stroke Center. This certification acknowledges our multidisciplinary stroke team, which is made up of emergency medicine physicians, surgeons, neurologists, registered nurses, licensed therapists, laboratory personnel, pharmacy staff and radiologists. This team is trained to respond quickly to the needs of patients coming to our hospital with signs of a stroke.
Emergency stroke treatment
When a patient arrives at our emergency room with stroke symptoms, we offer:
- A trained stroke team available 24/7 to evaluate patients within 15 minutes of arrival
- Evaluation and treatment carried out according to a uniform, extensive set of guidelines to address emergency treatment and ongoing care
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan of the head or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, performed and interpreted within 45 minutes of a patient being admitted
- Fully functioning medical laboratory open 24/7 to analyze and provide test results
- Teleneurology consultations within 15 minutes of arrival
Comprehensive stroke care
We provide the services and staff needed for complete stroke care, including:
- Administration of the clot-busting drug, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) for ischemic strokes
- Dedicated acute stroke team on-site 24/7 for stroke emergencies
- Interventional radiology treatments for stroke
- Neuroscience Center with advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies
- Rehabilitation services designed to improve quality of life following a stroke
- Specialized nursing support for patients following a stroke
- Stroke committee that reviews and improves patient care and outcomes
Stroke support group
We offer a stroke support group for patients, family members and caregivers affected by stroke. The group meets the last Thursday of every month, and attendance is free.
Understanding stroke
A stroke is a serious medical condition that requires immediate emergency care, which is why being knowledgeable about stroke can help save a life.
Types of stroke
A stroke is caused by interrupted blood flow to part of the brain. When blood flow is stopped, that part of the brain can’t receive oxygen and other nutrients. This causes brain cells to die and can result in permanent damage, even death.
There are different types of strokes, including:
- Hemorrhagic stroke: when a blood vessel ruptures and blood leaks into the brain
- Ischemic stroke: when a blood clot blocks blood flow to part of the brain
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA) or "mini stroke": when there is temporary interruption of blood flow to part of the brain
Stroke symptoms
It’s important to be able to recognize signs of a stroke so you can act quickly when they occur. Common stroke symptoms include sudden:
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Numbness, weakness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body)
- Severe headache with no known cause (may be accompanied by pain in the face or stiffness in the neck)
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes (such as blurred, blackened or double vision)
- Trouble speaking
- Trouble walking
The symptoms of a TIA are the same as those of a stroke, but they usually last only a few minutes. If you think you are experiencing a stroke, don't drive. Call 911.
Stroke risk factors
There are certain factors and conditions that may put you at risk for stroke. However, some of those conditions can often be treated. Some of the major risk factors for stroke include:
- Being 55 years old and older
- Having a family history of stroke
- Having atrial fibrillation (AFib)
- Having diabetes
- Having heart disease
- Having high blood pressure
- Having high cholesterol
- Having poor circulation