Stroke

Signs and symptoms of a stroke

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. and the leading cause of disability in adults. 

Even if they’re mild, call 911 if you have these stroke symptoms:

• Numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Facial drooping
• Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Difficulty walking 
• Dizziness 
• Loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

Our approach to stroke diagnosis at UCI Health

Sometimes called a brain attack, a stroke can happen at any age but most often occurs in people 65 and older. Every stroke is an emergency that requires immediate treatment. 

If you have stroke symptoms, call 911 or ask someone else to drive you to the emergency room right away.

Diagnosing your stroke 

If you have a stroke, you will most likely work with our specialists after being admitted to the emergency room. We use brain imaging technology to locate your stroke and have a CT scan in the emergency room. We also use CT angiography, a scan that identifies blockages and rules out other medical issues.

How artificial intelligence improves our care

The AI tools that we use allow our doctors to rapidly detect acute stroke and view your imaging scans immediately from anywhere. Only a clinician can make a thorough and complete diagnosis, but these tools can help us decide on a course of treatment faster. 

Decreasing the time gap between diagnosis and the start of treatment increases your chances of survival and full recuperation. 

Stroke treatment at UCI Health

There are three main treatments we use when you have a stroke. Your case is unique, and your treatment may vary depending on your diagnosis and any other conditions you may have.

Blood clot removal 

Our neurosurgeons remove blood clots to restore blood flow to your brain. They use a minimally invasive procedure that involves threading a catheter through an artery in the upper thigh.

Surgical intervention

If a rupture has caused bleeding in your brain, our surgeons may need to repair it with surgery.

Neuro intensive care at our Neuroscience ICU

UCI Health is home to the only state-of-the-art Neuro-ICU in Orange County. It is staffed full-time by fellowship-trained, board-certified neurointensivists who specialize in both neurological and medical intensive care. The Neuro-ICU provides crucial, round-the-clock care for stroke patients and those with other neurological emergencies.

What to expect after treatment

Ninety percent of strokes are preventable. Our doctors may sit with you to encourage lifestyle recommendations that improve your health.

Most stroke patients come in with high blood pressure. We’ll teach you how to reduce the risk of another stroke with: 

• Diet
• Exercise 
• Hydration 
• Medication  
• Daily blood pressure checks at home

If you experience a loss of speech or the ability to write, your brain can relearn these skills with daily practice. 

Why choose UCI Health for stroke care?

Our multidisciplinary stroke care is world class

At UCI Health, a unique component of our care is that you work with board certified neurologists and these experts:

• Board certified neuro radiologists
• Neuro interventionists
• Neurosurgeons
• Neuro intensivists
• Vascular surgeons
• Radiologists
• Nurses
• Therapists

Our collaborative culture offers care from the many subspecialists who will help you recuperate.

We are Orange County's first Joint Commission-certified comprehensive stroke center

This designation reflects the highest level of stroke care available. We are in an elite group of healthcare organizations focused on highly-specialized stroke care. We meet many requirements to qualify for this distinction, including:

• Compliance with stroke-related standards as a Primary Stroke Center

• Advanced imaging capabilities

• Round-the-clock availability of specialized treatments

• Fellowship trained staff with complex stroke care specialization

Our clinical trials seek novel therapies to promote brain healing and recovery

One of the great advantages of being an academic medical center is our robust research and ongoing clinical trials. If you qualify and an appropriate trial is available, you may get access to new medications and tools not widely available elsewhere.