NeuroCare Brain & Spine Center

Aurora BayCare Medical Center is certified as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission.

When patients in the greater Green Bay area are treated at Aurora BayCare Medical Center for stroke, they are in good hands, according to the American Stroke Association. Aurora BayCare recently received the American Stroke Association's Get with the Guidelines Silver Performance Achievement award.

The American Stroke Association's award addresses the important element of time. Aurora BayCare has developed a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients. This includes around the clock availability of brain imaging scans, staff experienced in the care of stroke patients and the ability to offer clot-busting medications when appropriate. Customized patient education materials are given to all stroke patients before they are discharged from the hospital to help patients reduce their risk of future stroke.

What is a Stroke

A stroke can happen when the blood flow to the brain is interrupted. The brain needs a nearly constant supply of blood that carries oxygen to the brain cells which control everything we do - from speaking to walking, to even something as vital as breathing. Most strokes occur when there is a blockage in an artery, (a blood vessel that carries blood to the brain). These are called ischemic strokes. These blockages can be caused by blood clots or by the gradual build-up of plaque and other fatty deposits. The less frequent kind of stroke is one in which a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing bleeding into the brain called a hemorrhage or a hemorrhagic stroke. These brain hemorrhages are often the result of a weak area in the blood vessel that forms an aneurysm that can burst.

Every year, stroke affects around 750,000 Americans...killing approximately 160,000 people.

The good news is there are things you can do to reduce your risk of stroke. If you develop the symptoms of a stroke and receive immediate medical attention, treatments are available to help reduce brain damage and disability.

Some patients first show signs of a transient ischemic attack or TIA. These are sometimes called "warning" strokes because they mean there is something abnormal in the brain and you are at increased risk for experiencing a stroke that could cause permanent damage.

Risk factors

Everyone is at risk for a stroke. However, certain factors can increase your risk. Some of these are beyond your control, such as:

  • Age: Stroke risk increases with age, especially over 55 years.
  • Gender: Males are more likely to suffer a stroke
  • Ethnicity: Stroke risk is higher in African-Americans

Other risk factors that ARE in your control and that you can modify to reduce your risk of stroke include:

  • Smoking: Smokers have a higher risk of stroke.
  • Obesity: Being overweight contributes to many health problems AND increases the risk of stroke.
  • Drinking more than 2 alcoholic beverages per day. Previous stroke or transient ischemic attack: For patients that have already had a stroke it is important to continue medications and see your doctor for follow-up as needed.
  • High cholesterol- Total cholesterol greater than 200 or an LDL greater than 100.
  • High blood pressure: Reducing your systolic blood pressure (the top number) by 10 points can reduce your risk of stroke by 1/3.
  • Heart disease: Treating heart disease is an important step to reduce the chance of a heart-disease related stroke.
  • Diabetes: Diabetes affects all of the blood vessels in the body and can increase the risk of stroke.
  • Atrial fibrillation: Treatments for "a-fib" can reduce the likelihood of a blood clot forming that can cause a stroke.
  • Carotid artery disease: Procedures can be done to treat blocked arteries in the neck before a stroke happens.

Recognize the warning signs of stroke

Stroke is a medical emergency. Knowing the warning signs can save your - or a loved one's - life. The earlier treatment is received, the more effective it is. Call 9-1-1 if you see or have any of these symptoms.

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

Dr. Harrison talks about stroke awareness - WBAY TV news segment

Take action

While there are certain factors such as age, gender and ethnicity, that you cannot control; you can reduce your reduce your risk by controlling these lifestyle-related factors by:

Remember…every second counts!

Even if symptoms appear for only a very short period of time, it could mean a Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA occurred. Call 9-1-1 if you experience any stroke symptom, even if it disappears. Even though a TIA is not a stroke, it does indicate a serious problem in your brain and it may mean that a stroke may soon occur. Your doctor can diagnose and treat you to help reduce your risk of having a stroke.

NeuroCare Brain and Spine Center™
(920) 288-8020
Toll-free (877) 577-5800
2845 Greenbrier Road
P.O. Box 8900