Stroke

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, either by blockage (ischemic stroke ) or bleeding into the brain tissue (hemorrhagic stroke ). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Stroke Association , stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability and the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Each year, about 800,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke, and more than seven million people in the United States are living with the effects of a stroke. Houston Methodist is a leader in stroke education and prevention outreach as well as treatment.

Our Approach
At Houston Methodist, we have certified stroke centers at multiple locations, including the nation’s first comprehensive stroke center at our flagship medical center location, Eddy Scurlock Stroke Center. Our exceptional teams of doctors and highly dedicated nurses provide coordinated, interdisciplinary, rapid-response care for stroke victims with one goal in mind – to use the very latest treatments, with the aim of the best possible recovery for each patient.

• Our stroke care specialists include neurologists, neurosurgeons, interventional neuroradiologists, cardiologists and rehabilitation therapists. 
• We provide expert neuro-critical care 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. 
• Houston Methodist’s use of clot-busting tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) for ischemic stroke treatment is higher than the national average. 
• We perform state-of-the-art neurovascular and endovascular procedures for repair of aneurysms and other causes of hemorrhagic stroke. 
• We have proven protocols for diagnosis and treatment of the underlying causes of stroke. 
• Houston Methodist is an active participant in multiple clinical research trials to improve and advance stroke treatment. 
• Our award-winning stroke outreach program educates the community about stroke recognition and prevention .