Stroke

Like a heart attack, a stroke is a “brain attack” that happens when blood flow to part of your brain is interrupted. When you’re having a stroke, every second counts. Getting treatment quickly can help protect your brain and reduce the risk of long-term disability. Important: If you or someone with you experiences symptoms of a stroke, immediately call 911.  

Across the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth), you have access to rapid stroke diagnosis and advanced treatment, 24/7. Westchester Medical Center is the region’s only certified Comprehensive Stroke Center, with additional WMCHealth locations providing Primary and thrombectomy-capable stroke care throughout the Hudson Valley. 

What Is a Stroke? 

A stroke happens when part of your brain does not receive enough blood and oxygen. Without steady blood flow, brain cells start to die from a lack of oxygen. This can cause permanent brain damage, long-term disability, or even death.  

There are two main types of stroke:  

• Ischemic stroke happens when a clot or other blockage stops blood flow to part of your brain.   
• Hemorrhagic stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or ruptures (a bleed), like a brain aneurysm or brain AVM (arteriovenous malformation).  

You can also experience a transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a “mini-stroke.” A TIA happens when blood flow to your brain is temporarily interrupted (usually a few minutes to an hour). It can be a warning sign of a future stroke and requires prompt medical attention.  

Symptoms of a Stroke 

Stroke symptoms can include one or more of the following. If you or someone with you experiences symptoms of a stroke, immediately call 911. 

• Headache, especially if sudden or severe, or accompanied by nausea and vomiting 
• Balance and coordination issues, like trouble walking 
• Vision problems, including blurred or blackened vision in one or both eyes 
• Numbness, weakness, or paralysis in your face, arm, or leg 
• Trouble speaking or understanding what others are saying 

The blood clots that cause ischemic strokes can happen because of conditions like an irregular heart rhythm or heart defects. Hemorrhagic strokes can happen due to high blood pressure or a brain aneurysm. It’s important to work with your doctor if you have underlying conditions that might cause a stroke, so you can take steps to prevent one. 

Stroke and Related Cerebrovascular Conditions 

You may also need specialized care for other conditions that affect blood flow in and around your brain. Our stroke and cerebrovascular specialists evaluate and treat conditions including: 

• Brain aneurysm: A weakened area in a brain artery that bulges outward 
• Carotid stenosis: Narrowing of the arteries that carry blood to your brain 
• Vascular dissection: A tear in the wall of an artery that carries blood to your brain  
• Arteriovenous malformation (AVM): An abnormal connection between arteries and veins in your brain 
• Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: A blood clot in a vein that drains blood from your brain 
• Dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF): An abnormal connection between arteries and veins in the covering of your brain  

Stroke Risk Factors 

There are many conditions that may increase your risk for stroke, including: 

• Obesity 
• High blood pressure
• Alcohol use disorder 
• Physical inactivity 
• Smoking
• Cardiovascular disease 
• Diabetes 
• Sleep apnea 
• Drug misuse (including prescription and non-prescription drugs)  

If you have some of these underlying factors, talk to your doctor about how to help minimize them to prevent your risk for a stroke.

Know Your Stroke Risk 

You may have stroke risk factors you can change, as well as others you cannot control. A stroke risk calculator can help you see how factors such as your age, blood pressure, smoking history, diabetes, and heart health may affect your risk. 

Some calculators, including the Framingham Stroke Risk Profile, estimate your chance of having a stroke within the next 10 years. Your results can give you a starting point for talking with your doctor about which risk factors you may be able to manage. 

Diagnosing a Stroke 

If emergency medical services identify signs of a possible stroke, they may alert our stroke team before you arrive. This allows your care team to begin evaluating you as quickly as possible. 

Testing helps your care team determine whether you’re having a stroke, what type you have, and which treatment may be appropriate. Testing may include:  

• CT scan to look for bleeding or signs of damage in your brain  
• Blood tests to provide information about how your blood clots  
• Neurological exam to evaluate your awareness, movement, balance, coordination, and senses  
• EKG to evaluate your heart rhythm and identify possible cardiac factors related to your stroke  
• MRI to provide detailed images of your brain and blood vessels  

Treatment for Stroke 

Your stroke treatment will depend on the type of stroke you have, its cause, and your individual needs. Your care team will explain your options and recommend treatment based on your condition.   

• Ischemic stroke: Your treatment will focus on restoring blood flow to your brain. You may receive thrombolytics (a clot-dissolving medication) or mechanical thrombectomy, a minimally invasive procedure that removes certain blood clots.  
• Hemorrhagic stroke: Your treatment will focus on controlling bleeding and reducing pressure on your brain. Depending on the cause, you may need medications, an endovascular procedure, or surgery.  

Why Choose WMCHealth for Stroke Care 

Across WMCHealth, you have access to advanced stroke diagnosis, treatment, and recovery care. Our stroke specialists use advanced technology and work across disciplines to provide care based on your individual needs. 

Stroke Care Across WMCHealth 

Your stroke care needs may vary depending on the type and complexity of your condition. Across WMCHealth, you have access to different levels of specialized stroke care throughout the network: 

• Westchester Medical Center: Comprehensive Stroke Center  
• MidHudson Regional Hospital: Primary Stroke Center Plus, with thrombectomy capabilities  
• HealthAlliance Hospital: Primary Stroke Center  
• Good Samaritan Hospital: Primary Stroke Center 

Our stroke teams work across locations, with TeleStroke helping specialists support evaluation and treatment decisions at hospitals throughout the region. 

Advanced Stroke Technology 

Advanced diagnostic technology helps your care team evaluate your stroke and determine which treatments may be appropriate. Through TeleStroke, our stroke specialists can extend their expertise to WMCHealth locations across the region. 

RAPID CT perfusion technology can help your care team determine whether certain neurointerventional treatments may still be an option. You may also have transcranial Doppler (TCD) testing, which uses ultrasound to evaluate blood flow in your brain. 

WMCHealth also uses robotic TCD technology to monitor for vasospasm, a narrowing of blood vessels that can occur after certain brain bleeds. 

Coordinated Brain and Heart Care  

Some strokes in younger adults may be associated with a patent foramen ovale (PFO), a small opening between the upper chambers of your heart. Determining whether a PFO contributed to your stroke can require both neurological and cardiac expertise. 

Through our Brain Heart Collaboration, you can see neurologists and structural cardiologists as part of one coordinated evaluation. Testing may include transcranial Doppler and echocardiogram studies with bubble testing. 

Whenever possible, we coordinate your testing and specialist visits to reduce unnecessary travel and help you understand whether PFO closure may be appropriate. 

National Recognition  

All four Westchester Medical Center Health Network stroke centers received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award in 2024 and 2025. This national recognition reflects our teams’ commitment to following advanced, evidence-based guidelines for stroke treatment.  

Stroke Recovery Care 

Your recovery after a stroke or TIA may include rehabilitation to help you regain movement, communication, and everyday skills. Our Stroke Rehabilitation Program uses advanced technologies, including virtual reality and wearable technology, to support your balance and walking skills. Your recovery program may also include speech and language therapy and occupational therapy.  

Vivistim for Arm and Hand Recovery 

If you are at least six months past an ischemic stroke, Vivistim may be an option to support continued arm and hand recovery. This treatment is offered as a clinical program, rather than a clinical trial. 

Your rehabilitation team may begin discussing longer-term recovery options earlier in your care. Vivistim may be considered after standard rehabilitation, depending on your needs. 

Stroke Support Group 

You can also connect with other stroke survivors through our virtual monthly support group. Along with opportunities to connect and share resources, you can learn about nutrition, physical therapy, and other steps that may help you reduce your risk of another stroke. 

Stroke Resources 

Community Stroke Education 

We offer community outreach and education for a variety of audiences, from fellow clinical providers and emergency medical service (EMS) technicians to the general public. To request stroke education for your community or event, please contact [email protected]. 

Stroke Research and Clinical Trials 

WMCHealth participates in StrokeNet, a multisite clinical trials network for stroke. This means you may have opportunities to participate in research focused on stroke treatment, prevention, or recovery. Current research may include studies focused on acute treatment, prevention, language recovery, and arm recovery. 

Learn about our Clinical Research Program 

Explore a Cookbook 

Simply Good is a cookbook for stroke survivors and their families. Choosing and limiting certain foods can help reduce your risk of having another stroke. 

Explore Simply Good 

Hear from Our Experts 

Stroke doesn’t wait — and neither should you. Tune in for a lifesaving conversation with stroke experts from Bon Secours Charity Health System, Mill Etienne, MD, Stroke Medical Director and Adam M. Karp, MD, Vascular Neurologist. You’ll learn how to spot the signs of stroke, take fast action, and why every second counts. 

Listen