Stroke

A stroke is a condition in which the brain cells suddenly die because of a lack of oxygen. This can be caused by and obstruction in the blood flow or the rupture of an artery that feeds the brain. The two main types of stroke include ischemic stroke and hemorrahagic stroke. An ischemic stroke results from a sudden loss of blood supply to the brain because of an obstruction – often a blood clot in the brain or in one of the major arteries leading to the brain such as the carotid. A hemorrhagic stroke, on the other hand, involves the rupture of a blood vessel in the brain. About seven out of eight strokes are of the ischemic variety; the other 13 percent are hemorrhagic. When a patient with an ischemic stroke is treated within the first hour with a clot-busting medication, recovery can be complete. Hemorrhagic strokes, on the other hand, are more problematic because a ruptured blood vessel in the brain must be repaired surgically, and lengthy physical and speech therapy often are necessary for patients to regain some level of partial recovery.

Most strokes involve a clot that blocks blood flow to your brain (ischemic stroke). Sometimes, a weakened blood vessel breaks, causing bleeding (hemorrhagic stroke). A temporary clot can cause a “mini stroke” or TIA (transient ischemic attack). The smallest stroke can damage your brain or warn of a bigger stroke to come. It can limit your ability to think, talk or move. If you see symptoms, call 911 right away.

Know the Signs of a Stroke

Experts warn that “time is brain.” B.E. F.A.S.T. to prevent brain damage or death. B.E. F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember the sudden signs of stroke. Learn more

B.E. F.A.S.T. CALL 911.

  • BALANCE: Sudden loss of balance or coordination.
  • EYES: Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
  • FACE: Ask the person to smile. Look to see if it’s uneven.
  • ARM: Ask the person to raise both arms. See whether one arm is weak.
  • SPEECH: Ask the person to speak. Listen for slurring or incorrect words.
  • TIME: Call 911 at the first sign of stroke.

CY 2021 Aggregate
Measure Orlando Health ORMC Median Time National Goals
ED Arrival to Treatment with clot busting medication (Alteplase/"tPA") 46 minutes 60 minutes or less
Fastest Time to clot busting medication 16 minutes 60 minutes or less
Fastest Time to intra-arterial groin access for clot removal 16 minutes 75 minutes or less
Time to Stroke Team Arrival in the Emergency Department 10 minutes 15 minutes or less
Percentage of patients treated with clot busting medication within 45 minutes or less 49.30% 75% of patients treated within 45 minutes
Time to start of stroke procedure (intra-arterial groin access) 92 minutes ASA/GWTG Goal less than 90 minutes
CY 2021 Aggregate
Procedure Type Number of Cases In-hospital Mortality Rate
Carotid Artery Interventions (Stenting, Revascularization and Endarterectomy) 51 0%

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