Man in hospital bed at Ascension site of care after getting emergency stroke care.

Get the stroke care you need, when you need it

Doctors and care teams at Ascension Illinois in Chicagoland deliver emergency stroke care and rehabilitation to help you recover after a stroke.
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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.

If you or a loved one are experiencing warning signs of a stroke — sudden loss of balance, lost or unclear vision, face drooping or uneven smile, arm weakness and speech difficulty — every second counts. Call 911 and go to the nearest ER.

By answering these questions, you can start to better understand your risk:

  • Are you over 65?
  • Do you have a family history of stroke?
  • Do you smoke?
  • Have you had a prior stroke or heart attack?
  • Do you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, peripheral artery disease, AFib, heart valve disease or sickle cell anemia?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, it may be important for you to talk to your primary care doctor about your risk for stroke.

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Ascension Illinois stroke centers in Chicagoland

Several Ascension Illinois hospitals across greater Chicagoland have earned the designation Comprehensive Stroke Center or Primary Stroke Center. We use the latest technology and a team of stroke specialists to deliver advanced stroke care for even the most complex cases. This highly specialized stroke care helps support better outcomes at a time when you need it most.

Comprehensive Stroke Centers:

Primary Stroke Centers:

Specialized stroke recovery and rehabilitation services

Your 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

  • How do I know if I'm having a stroke?

    Stroke symptoms can come on suddenly. Call 911 and go to the nearest ER if you experience any of these stroke symptoms:

    • Sudden loss of balance
    • Lost or unclear vision
    • Face drooping or uneven smile
    • Arm weakness
    • Speech difficulty
  • What is a stroke?

    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.

  • What should I do if I think someone else is having a stroke?

    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.

  • What is a mini-stroke, also called a transient ischemic attack (TIA)?

    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.

  • How is stroke treated?

    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.

  • What can I do to help prevent a 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.