Stroke Care

Community Health Network is committed to caring and educating those at risk for cerebrovascular disease, which can cause stroke. Community Hospitals East, South, North and Anderson, and Community Howard Regional Health have all earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval^TM as a Primary Stroke Center by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in disease-specific care. Certification means standardized stroke care is performed at each hospital.

Warning Signs of Stroke

B.E.F.A.S.T. *

If you think someone may be having a stroke, B.E.F.A.S.T and do this simple test:

BALANCE - Sudden dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
EYES - Trouble seeing out of one or both eyes.
FACE - Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
ARMS - Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
SPEECH - Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? Can he/she repeat the sentence correctly?
TIME - If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important. Call 911 or get to the hospital fast. Brain cells are dying.

Don't wait. Call 9-1-1!

If you see even just one of these symptoms, even if it goes away, do not wait, call 9-1-1 immediately. This person may be having a stroke.

*BE FAST was developed by Intermountain Healthcare, as an adaptation of the FAST model implemented by the American Stroke Association. Reproduced with permission from Intermountain Healthcare. Copyright 2011, Intermountain Health Care.

What is a Stroke?

A stroke occurs when the brain does not get oxygen or nutrients that are carried by blood vessels because the vessels get blocked or burst. When this happens nerve cells in the brain start to die. The nerve cells in the brain control other parts of the body; when they die, the body parts they control may lose functionality. Stroke damage is often permanent.

Depending on the type of stroke, people are affected differently. Brain injury from a stroke can affect senses, speech and understanding of speech, mobility, behavior and thought processes as well as emotions and memory. Often individuals experience paralysis or weakness on one side of the body.

Stroke Risk Factors

Knowing what the risk factors are for a stroke can lower one’s risk. Some can be controlled, and others cannot be changed. The more risk factors one has, the greater one’s chance of having a stroke.

Risk factors that cannot be changed include age, sex and inherited genetic conditions.

Risk factors that can be changed, treated or controlled with lifestyle changes or medication include:

• Tobacco and alcohol use
• High cholesterol and/or blood pressure
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Stress
• Diet and nutrition
• Physical inactivity

Stroke Rehabilitation and Support

Comprehensive inpatient stroke rehabilitation is offered at all Community Rehabilitation Hospitals. 

Monthly stroke support groups are available at the north and south hospital locations. Groups are open to anyone recovering from a stroke and their caregivers. Attendees have a chance to:

• Share experiences
• Hear educational speakers
• Find resources and support
• Take part in recreational activities
• Build relationships

North Region
When: Third Tuesday of each month from 2 to 3 p.m. and fourth Wednesday of each month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Where: Community Rehab Hospital North, First Floor Day Room
RSVP: For more information, please call Matthew Ernest at 317-585-5426.

South Region
When: Second Wednesday of each month from 3 to 4 p.m.
Where: Community Rehab Hospital South, First Floor Conference Room
RSVP: For more information, please call Prajakta Gaokar (PG), DPT, CSRS at 317-215-3800.

Outpatient Rehab

The Neuro Specialty Program offered through Community Physical Therapy and Rehab provides outpatient treatment for adults with acquired neurological disorders, including stroke. To learn more, call 317-621-3000.

Services and Therapists