Stroke
Stroke symptoms are always urgent. You should always seek immediate care for emergent health care needs such as stroke.
EDUCATION & RESOURCES
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. About 795,000 strokes occur each year in America - 610,000 of those being new and about 185,000 being recurrent. Despite the staggering statistics, as many as 80% of strokes may be preventable.
Know the Signs
BE FAST to recognize the signs of a stroke:
B - Balance: Is there a sudden loss of balance or difficulty walking?
E - Eyes: Is there sudden blurred or double vision, or loss of vision in one or both eyes?
F - Face: Is there suddenly an uneven smile or drooping of one side of the face?
A - Arms: Is there a sudden weakness, downward drift or numbness of one arm?
S - Speech: Is the speech suddenly slurred or garbled? Is the person able to repeat the sentence, 'Today is a sunny day?'
T - Time: Call 911 quickly if one or more of these signs are present.
KNOW THE RISK FACTORS
Some stroke risk factors are out of our control, like a family history of stroke or age. If you know the risk factors that you can manage, improve and eliminate then you can help to prevent stroke.
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Poor diet
- Physical inactivity
- Excessive alcohol intake and drug use
There are also ways to lower your risk of having a stroke. The American Heart Association has defined ideal cardiovascular health based on seven risk factors -- Life's Simple 7 -- that people can improve through lifestyle changes including the following:
- Stop smoking
- Eat better
- Get active
- Lose weight
- Manage blood pressure
- Control cholesterol
- Reduce blood sugar
Online Education Course
If you want to dive deep and learn all about strokes, this is the right resource for you. This interactive online course will guide you to learn about different types of stroke, treatment options, what to do after a stroke and so much more.
Stroke Support
FirstHealth Stroke Support Group brings people together to discuss and learn from each other, to share helpful hints and to encourage those who face stroke-related problems. Our Stroke Support program is currently on hold due to COVID-19. Call (910) 715-5266 for more information.
Additional Resources
- Start with Your Heart: NC Stroke System of Care
- American Stroke Association
- American Heart Association
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- Internet Stroke Center
Neurological Services
Meet our Team
Dr. Melanie Blacker - Neurohospitalist and Stroke Program Director
Dr. Sarah Uffindell - Neurohospitalist
Dr. Steven Lewis - Neurohospitalist
Dr. Amanda Dow - Neurohospitalist
Teleneurology: At FirstHealth we want to ensure timely and effective care and in the age of technology, Teleneurology allows for a patient to have immediate access to a Neurology specialist even when the physician can’t physically be at the beside. Stroke patients are seen via a ‘robot’ with telephone, email, and videoconferencing even when the Neurologist doesn’t have immediate access to the patient in the emergency or inpatient setting.
Awards and Certifications
FirstHealth of the Carolinas is committed to offering advanced diagnostic, treatment, support and rehabilitation services for stroke patients through our Certified Stroke Centers.
- Moore Regional Hospital
- DNV Healthcare USA Inc. Primary Stroke Center Certification
- Get with the Guidelines Target: Stroke Gold Plus with Honor Roll Achievement Award
- Get with the Guidelines Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Moore Regional Hospital - Richmond
- DNV Healthcare USA Inc. Acute Stroke Center Certification
- Moore Regional Hospital - Hoke
- Get with the Guidelines Target: Stroke Gold
- DNV Healthcare USA Inc. Acute Stroke Center Certification
- Montgomery Memorial Hospital
- DNV Healthcare USA Inc. Acute Stroke Center Certification
Hospital Compare has information about the quality of care at more than 4,000 Medicare-certified hospitals across the country. You can use Hospital Compare to find hospitals and compare the quality of their care.
FirstHealth of the Carolinas is dedicated to the evaluation, treatment, and prevention of ischemic strokes, hemorrhagic strokes, and transient ischemic attacks. Through an interdisciplinary team approach, FirstHealth works toward determining the etiology and correct emergency treatment, as well as follow up care to achieve the best clinical outcomes. FirstHealth of the Carolinas is devoted to providing evidence-based quality stroke patient care to its local population of retirement communities and our state’s distinct “Stroke Belt” population.