Division of Neurology
Stroke care is provided through our Division of Neurology. It focuses on conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves.
Nationally Recognized Treatment from Dedicated Stroke Specialists
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. It is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States, and every minute matters. At Lahey Clinic, which is a Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center by the Joint Commission, rapid response and expert specialists help save lives and improve recovery.
There are two types of stroke:
- Ischemic stroke, the most common, occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked by a clot or cholesterol buildup, cutting off blood flow.
- Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a weakened or bulging blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing bleeding.
Stroke is a medical emergency. If you have a choice or need specialized care, Lahey offers the expertise and advanced technology to deliver the highest level of care. Our stroke neurologists, interventional neuroradiologists and neurosurgeons work together rapidly to provide the most appropriate, evidence-based care.
Knowing the warning signs and reducing your risk can make a life-saving difference.
Warning Signs of Stroke
A helpful way to remember the warning signs is to BE FAST:
- Balance – Does the person have a sudden loss of balance or coordination?
- Eyes – Has the person lost vision in one or both eyes? Does the person have a visual change?
- Face – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the smile uneven?
- Arms – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- Speech – Is speech slurred? Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech hard to understand or strange?
- Time – If you notice one or more of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately. This is an emergency.
More About Stroke Care
Treatments We Offer
Stroke has three treatment pathways: prevention, acute management immediately after a stroke, and chronic management days, weeks and months after a stroke:
- Prevention treatment is about controlling your risk factors for stroke. Some risk factors, such as age and family history, can’t be controlled. Controlling some of these risk factors can lessen your chances of having a stroke.
- Immediately after a stroke, there is a short window to quickly dissolve the clot that is causing the stroke and/or remove it through a procedure called a thrombectomy. It is so important to treat to call 9-1-1 immediately if you have one or more symptoms of a stroke as soon as they occur. Do not hesitate!
- Post stroke, our primary goal is prevention of a reoccurrence by controlling risk factors that may have contributed to the stroke. Rehabilitation, in conjunction with our highly trained therapists, is also a consideration to help the survivor regain strength, movement and/or speech.
Stroke Risk Factors
Risk factors for stroke include:
- High blood pressure: High blood pressure is the most important risk factor for stroke. Work with your doctor to lower your blood pressure. That may include taking medications as prescribed, watching your diet, quitting smoking and getting regular exercise.
- Tobacco use: Tobacco use doubles the risk for another stroke. If you smoke, try to quit. For help, call 781-744-7848 or learn more about our tobacco cessation programs.
- High cholesterol: Cholesterol that builds up in the arteries can block normal blood flow to the brain. This increases the risk of heart disease and can cause a stroke. Work with your doctor to keep your cholesterol levels in a healthy range.
- Diabetes: People with diabetes are up to four times more likely to have a stroke. By controlling your diabetes, you can help lower your risk of stroke.
- Atrial fibrillation: Atrial fibrillation (a type of abnormal heart rhythm) increases your stroke risk five times, so it’s important to work with a doctor to control it. Most people have to take a blood thinner to do so.
- Diet: Eat a healthy diet. Watch the amount of calories, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol and salt you consume. This will help you manage your weight and cholesterol levels in your blood, which also can reduce the risk for stroke.
- Physical activity: Physical activity reduces the risk of stroke. Try to increase your physical activity and get some exercise each day.
- Alcohol use: Drinking too much alcohol may increase your blood pressure and risk of stroke. Alcohol can also affect how certain medications work. Talk with your doctor to learn whether drinking is safe for you and how much is too much.
Telemedicine for Stroke Care
Telestroke is a remote emergency neurology service. Through our TeleStroke program, we can connect community hospitals across Massachusetts and New Hampshire with stroke specialists in real time through secure video and imaging review.
This enables rapid evaluation of patients with suspected stroke, supports timely treatment decisions, such as clot-busting therapy or transfer for advanced interventions, and helps hospitals deliver high-quality stroke care close to home, improving access, speed and outcomes for patients in their communities.
Act Fast, Call 911
If you think you or someone else is having a stroke, act fast and call 911.
Meet the Team
Nationally Recognized Stroke Care
Lahey has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines - Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment, leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.
