Your Resource for Stroke Support

Strokes are often life-changing, and even life-threatening, events. As your trusted health care resource, we help you to not only understand or identify strokes, but offer support following a stroke to restore quality of life.

Understanding Strokes
There are two major kinds of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic. An ischemic stroke is a restriction of blood to the brain, either from a blood clot or plaque buildup. This is the most common stroke, making up about 87% of all cases. A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a weakened blood vessel bursting in the brain, causing a brain bleed.

Spotting Symptoms Fast
Remember the signs and symptoms of a stroke with the acronym FAST.

It is important to seek medical attention as soon as stroke symptoms present. A common treatment is TPA, a clot-busting medication that breaks up the blockage in the brain to restore blood flow. However, this medication can only be administered within three hours (4.5 hours in certain patients) of the first symptom so immediacy is critical.

Finding Support 
At Barnes-Jewish St. Peters and Progress West Hospitals, our dedicated team provides stroke patients with exceptional care. But our support doesn't stop when the patient goes home. The Stroke Support Program is designed specifically for stroke survivors and their caregivers. This one-hour program offers numerous resources, including special speakers to present and answer questions, to help support patients once they leave our hospital.

To learn more about the Stroke Support Program, visit BJCStCharlesCounty.org/Events or call 636.928.WELL. You can also email [email protected].

Meagan Goddard is a nurse and coordinates the Stroke Support Program at Progress West Hospital.