Services for Strokes

When a stroke occurs, it is because a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or it ruptures. When a stroke happens, part of the brain is cut off from oxygen and blood supply and brain cells die. 

2 Types of Strokes

An ischemic stroke happens when a blood clot blocks the blood supply to the brain. Ischemic strokes are the most common, accounting for 80-90 percent of all strokes.

The second type is called a hemorrhagic stroke. This occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. There are two types of hemorrhagic stroke. An intracerebral hemorrhagic stroke is bleeding within the brain tissue after a blood vesesl bursts within the brain. A subarachnoid hemorrhage occurs when there is bleeding in the area between the brain and the thin tissues covering the brain. 

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) or warning stroke, is caused by a clot, when blockage is temporary and symptoms occur rapidly and last for a short time. 

As the control center of the body and all of its functions, when the brain is deprived of blood flow, the body's ability to function can be either temporarily or permanently affected. This depends on several factors, inlcuding which area of the brain was obstructed, how much of the brain tissue is involved and the length of time the blood flow was restricted. 

Interestingly, stroke affecting one side of the brain will result in neurological complications on the opposite side of the body.

Treatments for Stroke

Our Mayo Clinic-trained neurosurgeon and medical director for the stroke program, J. Bradley White, M.D., Ph.D., uses the most up-to-date endovascular treatments for ischemic stroke patients. Our multi-disciplinary team of specialists including neurologists and neurosurgeons, as well as specially trained nurses and other clinicians work together to provide timely and safe treatment of stroke patients. Our diagnostic capabilities include MRI and MRA, CT, and ultrasound of the heart.

Neurosurgery Specialists 

When surgery is the recommended treatment you can trust our expert Mayo Clinic-trained neurosurgical team. They are known across the nation for their expertise and technical skills and they uphold the highest standards.

Our neurosurgeon team includes:

• J. Bradley White, M.D., Ph.D. -- Board Certified 
• Jonathan A. Friedman, M.D. -- Board Certified
• L Gerard Toussaint III, M.D. -- Board Certified 
• Jason M. Hoover, M.D. -- Board Certified