Expert Stroke Treatment for the St. Louis Community
We understand how frightening a stroke can be. St. Luke’s Hospital is a Designated Stroke Center by the state of Missouri and a Primary Stroke Center certified by The Joint Commission. We meet rigorous standards for rapid diagnosis and effective treatment. You can count on us to provide you or your loved one with the highest-quality care during a stroke emergency.
Warning Signs of a Stroke
If you know what to look for, you can spot a stroke quickly and get help. Common symptoms of stroke include:
- Sudden weakness in the face, arm, or leg, often on one side
- Sudden confusion or trouble speaking
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking or dizziness
- Sudden severe headache
If you suspect a stroke, call 911 immediately.
Time Is Brain
If you or a loved one experiences stroke symptoms, it’s important to get help quickly. Remember the phrase BE FAST to know the signs and symptoms of stroke and act.
- Balance: Loss of balance or headache?
- Eyes: Blurred vision?
- Face: Uneven smile ?
- Arms: One arm drifts downward?
- Speech: Strange speech?
- Time: Call 911 for help, fast!
How We Diagnose a Stroke
Before we start stroke treatment, we need to confirm that you or your loved one has had a stroke. We also need to understand the type of stroke involved. We use a variety of imaging tests to diagnose strokes, including:
- Computed tomography angiography (CTA), a CT scan of the blood vessels
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), an MRI scan of the blood vessels
Our Available Stroke Treatments
We offer two types of medication-based treatment for stroke: tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and tenecteplase (TNK). Both of these are types of anticoagulant or “clot-busting” medications. Your doctor will decide which is best for you or your loved one.
These medications can help dissolve blood clots that can cause strokes. However, they have a narrow window in which they’re effective: up to about four and a half hours after a stroke starts.