A stroke is the loss of brain function due to a disturbance in the brain’s blood supply. It causes an incredible 2 million neurons to die every minute. That’s why time is so critical after someone has a stroke.

Since every second counts, the UF Health Comprehensive Stroke Program team can mobilize around the clock to diagnose and stabilize stroke patients, minimizing the risk of permanent disability and preserving quality of life.

How common are strokes?

In the United States, about 800,000 people suffer from strokes every year, and nearly a quarter of strokes occur in people who have had one before. It is the leading cause of acquired physical disability in American adults, and the fifth leading cause of death. Northeast Florida is on the southeastern edge of a region referred to as the “Stroke Belt,” where strokes are most common in the U.S.

A stroke can be caused by ischemia, which is the lack of blood flow commonly due to a clot, or a hemorrhage from burst or bleeding blood vessels in or around the brain. Maintaining control over high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and high cholesterol — and keeping them under control — will greatly reduce your chances of having a stroke. Smoking is also a risk factor.

What are the warning signs of a stroke?

Some signs someone is having a stroke include:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, difficulty speaking or difficulty understanding.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden difficulty walking, dizziness or loss of balance or coordination.
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

A stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. If you experience any of these signs, call 911.

Ann Webb’s severe headache was the beginning of a stroke.

Steve Rhyne’s stroke symptoms started with numbness in his right arm.

Stroke: Why choose UF Health Jacksonville?

The UF Health Comprehensive Stroke Program provides inpatient and outpatient services for the diagnosis, management and rehabilitation of stroke patients. Such integrated and sophisticated care is important because research shows that patients improve faster and recover more completely when managed in a dedicated stroke facility.

Our program has received accreditation from Det Norske Veritas (DNV) as a Comprehensive Stroke Center. The DNV is a Norwegian based quality assurance and risk management company that operates in over 100 countries. We also participate in the American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) Registry and University of Miami's Florida Stroke Registry. Data entered into these registries help guide quality improvement initiatives to improve quality of patient care that is provided through our comprehensive stroke program. We are a recipient of the Stroke Gold Plus award due to our consistent quality of stroke care meeting national benchmarks provided by the American Heart Association.

Our approach features state-of-the-art methods for the treatment of stroke, such as the clot-busting drug TNK (Tenecteplase) and interventional procedures. An interdisciplinary team of University of Florida physicians and specially trained UF Health Jacksonville staff includes experts in neurology, vascular neurology, neurosurgery, neuroendovascular surgery, neuroradiology, emergency medicine, neuro intensive care, and rehabilitation services. The program also encompasses educational and support group programs for stroke patients and caregivers. Qualifying post stroke patients can receive rigorous inpatient rehab services to help with recovery and prepare them and their caregivers with new adaptive ways to maintain optimal quality of life.

UF Health Jacksonville's air transport saves lives

UF Health Jacksonville was among the first hospitals in the nation to use an air emergency service to transport stroke patients. Prompt transport by TraumaOne helicopter to the UF Health Jacksonville Comprehensive Stroke Program can improve a patient's outcome by decreasing medical complications and lowering the risks of mortality. Stroke patients in Duval County and 12 surrounding counties (including Baker, Bradford, Clay, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Union, Camden and Chariton), as well as several counties in, Georgia, benefit from this rapid transport service.