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.
Stroke doctors in Brandon, Florida
When someone experiences a stroke, seeking immediate medical help is essential.
HCA Florida Brandon Hospital is dedicated to quickly diagnosing a stroke and providing expedited, lifesaving treatment. As a result, DNV GL Healthcare recognizes our hospital as a Comprehensive Stroke Center. Our stroke team includes emergency physicians, neurologists, surgeons, registered nurses, licensed therapists, pharmacy staff and radiologists — all with specialized training in meeting the needs of patients experiencing a stroke. This highly trained team works to ensure every patient receives comprehensive, multidisciplinary care.
Stroke is a medical emergency.
If you believe someone is experiencing a stroke, call 911 immediately.
If you believe someone is experiencing a stroke, call 911 immediately.
Related specialties
Learn more about our related specialties.
Our stroke care center
We offer comprehensive stroke care services, ensuring you have convenient access to the high quality stroke care and support you need.
Emergency care for stroke
When a patient enters our emergency room (ER), there is a set of protocols in place. Every patient is evaluated and treated using a uniform set of guidelines that address both emergency treatment and ongoing care. Fast, accurate imaging services and laboratory services are crucial in an emergency stroke situation. Our hospital completes vital, diagnostic imaging — which may include a head computerized tomography (CT) scan or brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — within 45 minutes of admittance to the emergency room.
Stroke treatment
Stroke treatments provided at our hospital include:
- Aneurysm clipping: Used to treat hemorrhagic stroke, this procedure places a small clamp at the base of an aneurysm to stop the bleeding that is putting excessive pressure on the brain.
- Aneurysm coiling: Used to treat hemorrhagic stroke, this procedure inserts a wire coil into the aneurysm that prevents blood from flowing in.
- Carotid angioplasty and stenting: Used to treat ischemic stroke, this procedure inserts a catheter into the blocked artery and inserts a balloon to open it. Additionally, a stent may be placed to keep it from closing. This effectively restores blood flow through the artery.
- Carotid endarterectomy: Used as a preventive measure before an ischemic stroke, this procedure removes plaque buildup from inside a carotid artery to restore normal blood flow before a stroke occurs.
- Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) administration: Used to treat ischemic stroke, this drug is used to break down blood clots blocking blood flow to the brain. It is a type of blood thinner and cannot be used in the treatment of hemorrhagic stroke.
- Thrombectomy: Used to treat an ischemic stroke, this is the surgical removal of a blood clot from inside a vein or artery.
Stroke rehabilitation
Following initial treatment and recovery from a stroke, we offer patients access to stroke rehabilitation services in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Coordinated heart and vascular care
The cardiac services offered at our hospital include vascular care. Vascular services provide multidisciplinary, coordinated care for patients with heart disease and vascular conditions, such as stroke. Certain heart conditions — such as heart arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation — can increase a person's risk for experiencing a stroke. Our specialists offer a variety of treatments aimed at lowering a patient's risk for stroke following a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease.
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
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