A stroke or brain attack is the leading cause of long-term disability among adults in the United States. It’s the third leading cause of death (behind diseases of the heart and all forms of cancer). Nearly 700,000 people suffer new or recurrent stroke each year. About 165,000 die of the condition.

Stroke Warning Signs

Stroke is a medical emergency. The American Stroke Association says you should know these warning signs because when it comes to a stroke and your brain's recovery from it, every second counts:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding  
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes  
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination  
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

Certified Primary Stroke Center

Medical Center of McKinney is certified by The Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center. To achieve this certification, Medical Center of McKinney has assembled a team of highly skilled medical professionals - including emergency physicians, surgeons, neurologists, nurses, therapists, laboratory and pharmacy staff, and radiologists - who are specially trained to respond quickly and completely to the needs of a stroke patient.

When a patient comes to the Medical Center of McKinney with symptoms of stroke:

• a trained Stroke Team is available around the clock, seven days a week, to evaluate a stroke patient immediately upon arrival
• he or she is evaluated and treated using a uniform and extensive set of guidelines that address both emergency treatment and ongoing care
• a CT scan will be performed upon arrival and interpreted prior to the stroke patient being admitted
• a fully functioning medical laboratory is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week to analyze and provide a patient’s test results in a timely manner
• a neurosurgeon is available, if needed

Comprehensive Program of Care

Medical Center of McKinney is able to treat strokes through minimally invasive delivery of clot dissolving medication by using the newest therapies and through the dedicated Neurology floor and Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit committed to helping patients regain a comfortable quality of life.

The hospital recently received the Gold Plus Award for Stroke Care from the American Heart Association as part of their nationally acclaimed "Get With The Guidelines" program.