Stroke is a medical emergency. If you experience any of these signs, call 9-1-1.  Do not drive to the hospital. An ambulance will get you to the best hospital for stroke care.

B:  BALANCE - is your balance affected?

E:  EYES - is your vision blurred?

F:  FACE - is your face drooping ?

A:  ARMS - can you raise your arms?

S:   SPEECH - is your speech slurred?

T:   TIME - if you or someone else has one or more signs, call 9-1-1

Time = Brain!   BEFAST -  immediate action is important!

• Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA) -  is a strong “clot dissolving” medicine. Stroke occurs when an area of the brain is deprived of oxygen and nutrients because of a blocked blood vessel. Many sudden blockages are due to a blood clot and can result in loss of function in the affected area of the brain. By using a process to score the patient's symptoms called the NIH Stroke Scale, we can determine if tPA is appropriate. Signs and symptoms of stroke include abrupt onset of one-sided weakness/numbness, and difficulty with vision, speaking, thinking or coordination. Studies suggest that 8 out of 18 stroke patients who receive tPA will recover by three months after the event without significant disability.

• Thrombectomy - this surgical procedure is used to remove blood clots from arteries and/or veins. These blood clots can disrupt normal flow of blood to the brain causing life-threatening conditions like stroke. The goal with thrombectomy procedures is to remove the clot and restore blood flow to the brain.  This treatment, within 24 hours of an acute stroke, can lower the risk of disability by 73%.

• Tele-stroke - telemedicine and videoconferencing has been shown to be very effective in the assessment of stroke patients.  A typical telestroke encounter provides our patients with an immediate interaction with a physician.  

You can reduce your risk for stroke through wellness and cardiovascular care. Keeping your heart and veins healthy helps reduce the risk of blood clots and stroke and helps keep your brain functioning properly. Cardiovascular surgery is also available to help with carotid artery disease and to assist patients on blood thinners.

Are you at risk for heart disease or stroke? Talk to a cardiologist at our Heart and Vascular Institute locations in Lynchburg, Farmville, Bedford, Gretna, and Danville

Our inpatient Acute Rehabilitation Center, outpatient clinics and in-home care services offer state of the art technology in the treatment of stroke.  Centra therapists are trained to administer treatments using the latest in Functional Electric Stimulation (FES) technology, including the Bioness L300, Bioness H200 and the RT 300 cycle ergometer.  All of which have been researched to improve walking and grasp and release impairments in individuals recovering from stroke.  Our technology can be used to improve functional movement of the arms and legs, improve circulation, and prevent muscle atrophy.  For more information, please call us at 434.200.6053 to speak with a neuro rehab specialist who can help you determine the best level of care for your needs.  

Syndey Earley, NP, Centra Neurology discusses the signs and symptoms of stroke on our Centra Scripts podcast.  

This free, confidential StrokeAware assessment will take about seven minutes to complete and will provide you with a personalized health risk assessment report that will help you:

• Learn your current stroke health risk 
• Identify any medical or lifestyle factors that may lead to the development of a stroke
• Take an active role to reduce your risk of having a stroke

Take The Stroke Risk Assessment

You can reduce your risk for stroke through wellness and cardiovascular care. Keeping your heart and veins healthy helps reduce the risk of blood clots and strokes and helps keep your brain functioning properly

Centra provides expert neurological care in Bedford, Gretna, Lynchburg, and Farmville. Our outpatient specialists provide care for the following conditions:

• Dementia and other Cognitive disorders
• EMG/Nerve Conduction
• Headaches and Migraine
• Movement disorders
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Myasthenia Gravis
• Neuro-inflammatory disease
• Neuropathies
• Stroke
• Seizure disorders/epilepsy

Call us 434.200.3600 to set up an appointment.