Stroke Care

Providing the region’s most comprehensive treatment options

Having a stroke is a serious medical emergency, and St. Luke’s is committed to providing comprehensive stroke care. A stroke happens when blood flow is blocked from the brain. Often, this is because of a blood clot or a rupture. The faster a patient can get to our emergency room after the initial signs of a stroke, the more options are available to minimize damage.

BE FAST! to Spot a Stroke
It's important to be able to spot the signs of a stroke so you can get medical attention as soon as possible. One way to do this is to remember the acronym BE FAST.

• Balance: watch for a loss of balance
• Eyes: ask about vision loss
• Face: look for an uneven smile
• Arms: check if one arm is weaker
• Speech: listen for slurred speech
• Time: call 911 right away

Options for Stroke Treatment
If appropriate for the patient’s symptoms, we offer the clot-busting drug tPA (tissue plasminogen activator), which is given through an IV.

St. Luke’s also offers endovascular stroke thrombectomies, the most advanced stroke treatment option for large-vessel ischemic stroke patients.

Stroke Rehabilitation
Once an active stroke is resolved, stroke rehabilitation is essential. St. Luke’s Stroke Rehab Program provides comprehensive rehab to help patients recover from a wide range of stroke-related difficulties, on both an inpatient and outpatient basis.

To learn more, contact St. Luke's Stroke Program Coordinator Stan Sadenwasser at 218.249.5652 or stan.sadenwasser@slhduluth.com.