In-house expertise for advanced stroke care
When it comes to stroke, time is brain. White Plains Hospital has long been recognized for providing the most effective, evidence-based techniques for rapid stroke diagnosis and treatment. With the first New York state-designated Regional Stroke Center in Westchester County, the Hospital has been consistently recognized with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's prestigious Get with the Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus® Quality Achievement Award since 2005, and Honor Roll status for success in caring for stroke patients with the right treatments in a rapid timeframe. The Hospital has expanded services and a growing team of highly experienced specialists in vascular neurology to diagnose patients who have suffered a stroke and provide them with the most advanced treatment for optimal outcomes.
Stroke warning signs
Reviewed 4/1/2022
Signs of a stroke
The signs of a stroke often appear suddenly—and they require fast action. Keep scrolling to learn more about important stroke warning signs and how to spot them.
F: Face drooping. Does one side of the face droop? Is it numb?
How to check: Ask the person to smile. Is the smile uneven?
A: Arm weakness. Is one arm weak or numb?
How to check: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S: Speech difficulty. Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand?
How to check: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence like “The sky is blue.” Can he or she repeat it correctly?
T: Time to call 911. If someone shows any of these signs, call 911 immediately—even if the signs go away. Make sure to note the time when the first symptoms appeared.
OTHER POSSIBLE SIGNS OF A STROKE
- Severe headache with no known cause.
- Sudden numbness or weakness of a leg.
- Sudden confusion or trouble understanding.
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination.
If someone shows any of these signs, call 911 right away.
TAKE STEPS TO PREVENT A STROKE
Learning your stroke risk factors can help you understand what changes you need to make to protect your health.
Source: American Stroke Association
Emergency stroke consultations are provided by a board-certified neurologist in both the Hospital's Flanzer Center for Emergencies and Critical Care (Emergency Department) and the inpatient units. There is always a board-certified neurologist available to assess patients when a stroke is suspected.
Advanced imaging techniques, such as CT-angiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and carotid ultrasound facilitate a rapid assessment and diagnosis. The Hospital’s expert Stroke Team, consisting of physicians and nurses who are specially trained in recognizing the signs and symptoms of both ischemic and less common hemorrhagic stroke, is available 24/7 to provide the most effective, rapid-acting treatments, including:
- Clot-busting medications such as intravenous injection of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), also called alteplase. The Hospital has been repeatedly recognized for administering tPA within 45 minutes of the onset of symptoms, far faster than the gold standard set by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association of four and a half hours or less. Rapid tPA treatment, which dissolves the blood clot and restores blood flow to the brain, improves survival and reduces the likelihood of complications and disability following ischemic stroke.
- Through the Hospital’s partnership with Montefiore, patients requiring emergency endovascular procedures and surgical treatment of stroke, such as thrombectomy, benefit from a speedy and seamless transition of care to the Montefiore campus, located only 20 minutes away. Patients are evaluated for thrombectomy in the Hospital Emergency Department using CT-angiography.
Post-stroke care
Following rapid treatment and stabilization, stroke patients are cared for and closely monitored in one of the Hospital’s intensive care units or on the neurological step-down unit, both of which are staffed with highly trained clinicians experienced in post-stroke care.
Rehabilitation begins in the inpatient setting, with physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy all available on-site. Following discharge, rehabilitation care can be continued at the renowned Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, also a member of the Montefiore Health System, or at another skilled nursing facility or at home, depending on the individual circumstances.
The Hospital’s Care Management team works closely with the patient and a family to ensure a seamless continuum of quality care and effective rehabilitation services following discharge.