The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Primary Stroke Center is committed to enhancing acute and rehabilitation levels of stroke care in the Northwest region of Connecticut.
In addition to providing top-notch medical care, the center also advocates for health and wellness within the community and strives to prevent strokes through evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Thanks to a multidisciplinary team approach, the center has recently achieved formal certification as a Primary Stroke Center.
Services we provide:
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) that work with Stroke Centers
- Emergency Department
- Critical Care Unit
- Dedicated Stroke Unit
- Nurses specially trained in the care of stroke patients
- Neurology/ Tele-Neurology Services
- Radiology
- Pharmacy
- Rehabilitation Services PT/OT/SLP
- Social Services
- Community Education
What is a Stroke?
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a vessel in the brain is blocked or a blood vessel breaks, causing brain cells in that territory to die. The problems experienced after a stroke like an inability to move or feel one side of the body, speech, or visual problems are usually a result of brain cells that have died due to stroke. If you have had one stroke, you are at higher risk of having another stroke. It is important to practice prevention to reduce risk factors. Please be sure to ask your doctor or nurse any questions about this information or any other questions about your health.
Risk factors include:
- High blood pressure - High blood pressure is the most important risk factor for stroke.
- Tobacco Use - Tobacco use doubles the risk of another stroke.
- High cholesterol - Cholesterol or plaque build-up in the arteries can block normal blood flow to the brain, cause a stroke, and increase the risk of heart disease.
- Diabetes - People with diabetes are up to 4 times as likely to have a stroke as someone who does not have the disease.
- Atrial fibrillation - Atrial fibrillation increases your stroke risk 5 times, so it’s important to work with a doctor to control it. Eat a healthy diet, maintaining a diet low in calories, saturated and trans fats, and cholesterol.
- Physical activity - Physical activity reduces stroke risk. A recent study showed that people who exercise five or more times per week are less likely to have another stroke.
- Alcohol use - Talk with a doctor about alcohol use and how it can best be controlled to prevent another stroke.