Do people with early heart disease have symptoms?
September 21, 2026
Signs of heart disease aren’t always obvious. Some people notice chest discomfort, shortness of breath or unusual fatigue, while others don’t notice any changes at all.
Stroke treatment
Doctors and care teams at Ascension Illinois in Chicagoland deliver emergency stroke care and rehabilitation to help you recover after a stroke.
Stroke care in Chicagoland
Doctors and care teams at Ascension Illinois in Chicagoland deliver emergency stroke care and rehabilitation to help you recover after a stroke.
Why choose Ascension Illinois for stroke treatment
If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of a stroke, every second counts. Signs of a stroke include sudden loss of balance, lost or unclear vision, face drooping or uneven smile, arm weakness and difficulty speaking.
Ascension Illinois stroke centers and emergency rooms in Chicagoland provide advanced stroke care 24/7. Our emergency and critical care teams, stroke care coordinators, neurologists, interventional neuroradiologists and neurosurgeons specialize in treating stroke and transient ischemic attacks (TIA). We quickly work together to help improve blood flow to the brain, stop a brain bleed and help prevent future strokes.
Specialized stroke recovery and rehabilitation services
Your stroke recovery care doesn't stop when you leave the hospital. Ascension Illinois partners with Shirley Ryan AbilityLab to provide convenient access to rehabilitation care. Dedicated teams of rehabilitation specialists work with you to enhance and restore functional ability and quality of life.
We also offer a stroke survivor support group. And we provide transitional care in your home, an outpatient stroke rehabilitation center or skilled nursing facility.
Frequently asked questions about stroke
Stroke symptoms can come on suddenly. Call 911 and go to the nearest ER if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Sudden loss of balance
- Lost or unclear vision
- Face drooping or uneven smile
- Arm weakness
- Speech difficulty
A stroke occurs when there is a disruption in the blood supply to the brain. This disruption can come from a blocked blood vessel in the brain or a blood vessel that ruptures and bleeds into the brain. When you are experiencing a stroke — every second counts. Call 911 and go to the nearest ER.
If you think someone is having a stroke, ask them to repeat a sentence back to you, smile at you, and raise both arms. If they have trouble with any of these tasks, call 911 right away. Stay with the person and note the time they began to have symptoms. This information can help the emergency room care team.
When someone experiences stroke symptoms that go away in a short period of time (typically less than an hour), it may be considered a TIA (transient ischemic attack.) When blood flow to the brain is interrupted for a short period (usually less than five minutes), it may be a sign of a future stroke. TIA is an emergency like stroke. If you experience signs of a stroke or TIA, don't wait to see if the symptoms go away.
The sooner you get to the ER, the more options there may be for treatment. Medications and minimally invasive stroke interventions help prevent clots and dissolve blockages to restore blood flow to the brain. Endovascular procedures are used to repair a blood vessel from rupturing. Your doctors, nurses, and rehabilitation therapists help you recover after a stroke and help prevent a future stroke.
Certain risk factors can increase your risk of stroke, including: age; diabetes; smoking; obesity; high blood pressure and cholesterol; heart disease; and family history of stroke. While some risk factors you cannot change, such as age and family history, there are things you can do to help lower your risk of stroke. Start by talking with your doctor. Together, you can create a care plan that helps lower your risk factors.
Your doctor may recommend a vascular screening to help better understand your risk for stroke. At Ascension Illinois, our vascular screening includes a bundle of three tests for $99 (out of pocket). These tests can help detect clogged, damaged, or weakened arteries and blood vessels. Talk with a doctor about whether a vascular screening is right for you.
Providers: Refer a patient
Referring your patients is simple and hassle-free. Send your patient’s medical records, and we'll take it from there — keeping you in the loop throughout the process while ensuring your patient gets the advanced care they need.
Our locations
Comprehensive Stroke Centers
- Ascension Alexian Brothers (Elk Grove Village)
Primary Stroke Centers
- Ascension Saint Alexius (Hoffman Estates)
- Ascension Saint Joseph Chicago (Chicago)
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.
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