Comprehensive stroke care in East Texas at our state-designated treatment center
A stroke is a common medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or blocked, reducing the flow of oxygen and nutrients and causing brain cells to die. The UT Health East Texas Tyler campus has been designated a comprehensive stroke facility by the state of Texas. This means our center has met all the educational and clinical requirements outlined by the Joint Commission. We offer 24/7 access to a designated neurosurgical operating room, emergency center doctors and nurses with specialized stroke training, diagnostic CT scans, and lab technician and services. If you or someone you know may be experiencing a stroke, call 911. Our stroke specialists are ready to provide fast, effective care that can save a life.
Our stroke centers across East Texas
We offer comprehensive stroke centers at multiple locations across East Texas, including UT Health Athens, Henderson, Pittsburg, Quitman, and Tyler. These facilities have been designated as a Level III support stroke facility (SSF) by the state of Texas. This means their emergency center has met all guidelines for providing resuscitation, stabilization, assessment and treatment, and has the ability to transfer the patient to the UT Health Tyler Comprehensive Stroke Center.
Among the numerous Level III SSF requirements are 24/7 access to:
- Diagnostic CT scans
- Emergency center doctors and nurses with ongoing stroke training
- Lab technician and services
A Level III SSF must be able to diagnose, treat and transfer a patient who’s experiencing stroke within one hour of arrival. We are proud that our statistics for time of treatment and transfer are lower than the national average – and we’re even more pleased to know our efforts save lives across East Texas.
For more information about our stroke facilities, call 903-946-5580.
Types of strokes
Strokes are the leading cause of adult disability and the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes three types of stroke:
- Hemorrhagic stroke: This type of stroke involves ruptured blood vessels, which causes bleeding in the brain.
- Ischemic stroke: This type of stroke is caused by blood clots in the brain and often treated with tPA, a drug that dissolves clots and restores blood flow
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA or mini stroke): This type of stroke is caused by a temporary blood clot. One in three people who have a TIA eventually will have an ischemic stroke
Stroke risk factors
Some risk factors are unavoidable, such as being male, having diabetes, being age 55 or older, having a family history of stroke or being of African-American heritage. According to the American Stroke Association, the following factors contribute to an increased likelihood of experiencing a stroke:
- Atrial fibrillation
- Carotid artery disease
- Diabetes
- Diet
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Peripheral artery disease
- Physical inactivity
- Obesity
- Sickle cell anemia
- Sleep apnea
- Smoking
If you display any of these factors, call 903-594-2812 to set an appointment to evaluate your risk for stroke. Assessments are easy and painless – and could save your life!
Signs of a stroke
and your loved ones. There are many symptoms of stroke that patients should be aware of. One way to remember the most common symptoms is to BE FAST:
- B – Balance. Is the person suddenly having trouble with balance or coordination?
- E – Eyes. Is the patient experiencing sudden vision troubles? This includes blurred vision, double vision, or loss of sight in one or both eyes.
- F – Face drooping. Ask the person to smile. Is one side of their face numb or drooping?
- A – Arm weakness. Ask the person to raise both arms to the same level. Does one arm drift downward? Is one arm weak or numb?
- S – Speech difficulty. Ask the person to say a sentence. Are they struggling to speak normally?
- T – Time to call 911. If the person is experiencing ANY of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.