Stroke

As part of our services, our emergency room (ER) team and neurological specialists can help diagnose a stroke.

However, if you think someone is having a stroke, call 911 immediately.

Be on the lookout for symptoms and warning signs of stroke:

B.E.F.A.S.T.

BALANCE:
Do you have a sudden loss of balance?

EYES:
Have you lost eyesight in one or both eyes?

FACE:
Does your face look crooked or does it droop on one side?

ARMS (OR LEGS):
Is your arm or leg weak or numb?

SPEECH:
Do you notice slurred speech or inability to get sentences or words out?

TIME/THUNDERCLAP HEADACHE:
If you have any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately — time is very important!

STROKE SIGNS & SYMPTOMS:

• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden trouble see in one or both eyes; having double vision
• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg; especially if only on one side of body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech
• Sudden severe headache, often with nausea or vomiting

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
A stroke is a medical emergency. EVERY SECOND COUNTS! Don't wait to see if symptoms get better. Acting quickly can save a life or prevent severe disability. If you or someone else might be having a stroke...

BE FAST — call 911

Good Samaritan Hospital
2425 Samaritan Drive San Jose, CA 95124
(408) 559-2011
goodsamsanjose.com

Our ER is equipped to provide rapid stroke evaluation and treatment. Our advanced care and techniques allow us to extend the treatment window significantly by dissolving and extracting blood clots deep in the brain.

In addition, our neuro specialists are available 24/7 to provide their expertise when needed, supported by our designated Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit (NSICU). This is where you may receive close monitoring and follow-up care after experiencing a stroke or other type of neurological condition.

Our neurointerventional radiologists perform minimally invasive procedures to treat stroke. Treatment options may include:

• Cerebral angiogram — Produces images of the inside of the blood vessels
• Cerebral stenting or balloon angioplasty — Reopens narrowed blood vessels
• Cerebral thrombectomy — Removes blood clots
• Intracranial angioplasty — Widens the blood vessels in the brain

The carotid arteries are located in the neck and bring oxygenated blood to the brain. These arteries may develop a build-up of cholesterol and calcium over time, resulting in the narrowing of the blood vessels and decreased blood flow. When left untreated, a blocked carotid artery can lead to a stroke.

Our stroke specialists may recommend one of the following procedures to open the carotid artery and restore normal blood flow to the brain:

• Carotid artery stenting — When a skinny mesh tube, or stent, is placed inside your carotid artery to open it up and increase blood flow.
• Carotid endarterectomy — When a surgeon removes the plaque clogging your carotid artery to help promote blood flow.
• Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) — When the surgeon makes a small incision in the neck and inserts a catheter into the carotid artery. A device is then used to temporarily block blood flow in the affected artery, allowing the surgeon to insert a stent to open up the blockages.

A cerebral aneurysm is a weak spot in an artery that bulges outward and fills with blood. The weakened artery has the potential to rupture, which can be life threatening. Clipping and coiling are two common procedures used to clot off an aneurysm, whether it has ruptured or not.

After a stroke, physical rehabilitation can play a critical role in recovery. Our neurological rehabilitation program is designed to help you regain cognitive and physical abilities. Your stroke rehabilitation team may include:

• Neurorehabilitation physiatrists
• Occupational therapists
• Physical therapists
• Speech-language pathologists

For more information about our rehabilitation program, call (408) 358-5689.

Our multidisciplinary team works together to support patients and families at every stage of care — from emergency treatment and critical care to recovery and rehabilitation. We are committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality healthcare for the whole person.

Features of our stroke center include:

• 24/7 operating room (OR) staffing and interventional care
• Advanced care that addresses acute and recovery stages of stroke
• Stroke experts and nurses certified by the National Institute of Health
• Vascular neurologists and neurosurgeons on-site to treat complex stroke cases

We are a certified Comprehensive Stroke Center by DNV and the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association. Additionally, we are recognized by the American Heart Association as a Get With The Guidelines - Stroke program.

As part of our commitment to providing comprehensive neurological care, we are equipped to quickly identify stroke symptoms and treat you to reduce long-term effects. Our stroke care team includes:

• Neurointensivists
• Neurologists
• Neurosurgeons
• Neurointerventional radiologists
• Registered nurses

Through the Stroke Fall Grant Program, our hospital has partnered with the Stroke Awareness Foundation (SAF) to expand their mission of community awareness and outreach for stroke prevention and to improve outcomes. Stroke is the leading cause of disability and the fifth-leading cause of death in the U.S. Community education remains a large focus for primary prevention.

For more stroke information below:

• English: stroke-signs.org
• Spanish-Español: lassenales.com
• Vietnamese-Quốc ngữ: stroke-vt.com
• Chinese-中文: stroke-ch.com
• Tagalog: strokeinfo.org
• Farsi-فارسی: stroke-fa.com

There are many national stroke resources available to you, including:

• National institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) — For more information on neurological disorders and research programs, visit ninds.nih.gov.
• American Stroke Association (A Division of the American Heart Association) — This program offers educational items, Stroke Connection Magazine and support programs. Visit stroke.org to learn about Let's Talk About Stroke.
• National Aphasia Association — This program offers care and rehabilitation for people with aphasia through education and support. Visit aphasia.org to learn more.
• Brain Aneurysm Foundation — This program raises awareness about brain aneurysms and provides caregiver resources. Visit bafound.org to learn more.
• Stroke Survivors Empowering Each Other — This program provides support, education and resources to stroke survivors and caregivers. Visit sseeo.org to learn more.
• Family Caregiver Alliance This program offers resources and support for caregivers. Visit caregiver.org to learn more, or call (800) 455-8106.

In addition to national resources, we make multiple online resources available to you, such as:

• Support networks — You can visit The Stroke Network at strokenetwork.org, or the Stroke Support Association at strokesupportassoc.org.
• Spanish resources — For Recursos en Español, visit stroke.org/es.
• Healthy recipe book for stroke survivors (in English and Spanish) — Visit stroke.org/en/life-after-stroke/recovery/simply-good-cookbook.

We offer local, community resources for you and your family. Some of these include:

• Mission Oaks support groups — For those in the Bay Area, we provide support for stroke patients and families. For more information, call (408) 559-2011.
• Stroke Awareness Foundation — This program promotes community awareness and stroke education. Visit StrokeInfo.org for more information, or call (408) 879-8433.
• Peninsula Stroke Association — This program offers stroke education and support for survivors and caregivers in the area. For more information, visit PSAstroke.org or call (650) 565-8485.