Valley Regional Medical Center is an Advanced Primary Stroke Center certified by The Joint Commission in collaboration with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Our doctors and nurses provide 24/7 care, offering fast treatment for stroke and TIA patients.

When a stroke is suspected, getting high-quality medical care fast is critical. At Valley Regional Medical Center, our Stroke Program starts in our Emergency Room (ER). Every one of our ER nurses is stroke certified by the National Institutes of health (NIH).

Our iSTAT machine delivers some blood work results right in the ER, while anything sent to our laboratory also has fast turnaround times to ensure doctors get the answers they need to treat patients – fast.

Valley Regional Medical Center also offers the complete range of brain and nerve (neuroscience) care, including imaging tests and neurosurgery.

Stroke Therapy & Recovery Services

After a stroke, patients may have a range of physical or mental impairments to cope with. Our experienced team of neurologists and therapists create an individualized rehabilitation plan to help patients regain function or return to activities of daily living as soon as possible.

Therapy services are often intensive following a stroke and may include:

  • Physical therapy (PT), such as regaining the muscle strength to walk or adapting to a partial paralysis
  • Occupational therapy (OT), such as relearning how to brush teeth or hair, or other tasks requiring fine motor skills
  • Speech-language pathology (SLP) services, for help with regaining speech and also for evaluating swallowing function to determine what type of diet a patient can handle at every stage of their recovery

Stroke rehabilitation begins as an inpatient and patients can continue as outpatients once they are discharged.

Possible Signs of TIA or Stroke

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is sometimes called a mini-stroke, and is often a warning sign of an impending stroke. In TIA, the blockage is temporary (transient) and is not usually associated with permanent brain injury. Up to a third of people who experience TIA will have a stroke within one year. The symptoms of TIA are the same symptoms of a stroke.

Common TIA & Stroke Symptoms:

  • Weakness or numbness, typically on one side, in your face, arms or legs
  • Speaking difficulties, such as slurred or garbled speech
  • Vision problems, such as blindness in one or both eyes
  • Dizziness or a loss of coordination or balance

If you are experiencing any warning symptoms of a transient ischemic attack or stroke, call 9-1-1 to get immediate medical attention.

Stroke Prevention

Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, but there are steps you can take to lessen your chances of having one. A variety of factors increase your risk for stroke including hypertension, smoking, poor dietary choices, physical inactivity, drug use and excess alcohol intake.

Our doctors also work with patients to help them lessen their risk of a stroke. Common stroke risk assessment tools include:

  • Blood pressure measurement
  • Blood work to check cholesterol levels
  • Blood work to check glucose levels
  • Weight check and determining your BMI (body mass index)
  • Lifestyle habits including your history of smoking, drinking and physical activity

Our stroke recovery services will help you learn how to cut your risk of a second stroke and how to live an active life after having a stroke.

Related Services

Search Our Doctors

See if your neurologist has privileges at Valley Regional Medical Center (or find one that does). Search our doctors and schedule your appointment online: Search & Schedule