Ascension Saint Thomas

Advanced stroke care in Evansville

Neurologists and neurosurgeons at Ascension St. Vincent in Evansville, deliver stroke care and rehabilitation to help you recover after a stroke.

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 St. Vincent stroke centers and emergency rooms deliver advanced stroke care 24/7. Our doctors 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.

 
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.

Find A Doctor

Ascension hospitals across Indiana have earned the designation Primary Stroke Center or Comprehensive Stroke Center by The Joint Commission*. At our stroke centers, we use advanced treatments that help minimize brain damage, improve blood flow to the brain and help prevent future strokes. With RAPID technology, an imaging tool that provides quick identification of a stroke, our team is able to respond quickly, helping to reduce the damage caused by a stroke.

Our highly specialized stroke care helps support better outcomes at a time when you need it most. If you have signs of stroke choosing an Ascension St. Vincent emergency room connects you to our network of comprehensive stroke care.

Comprehensive Stroke Center

Primary Stroke Center

Stroke recovery and rehabilitation

Our neurologists and care teams at Ascension St. Vincent specialize in stroke care and recovery. We listen to understand you and your health concerns. Then your care team of doctors, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists work with you to create a care plan that's right for you. Our rehabilitation care team provides daily therapies and monitors your progress to help you meet your goals.

Your care doesn't stop when you leave the hospital. We can connect you to transitional care in your home, an outpatient stroke rehabilitation center or skilled nursing facilities. Our goal is to improve your quality of life after a stroke.

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:

    • Arm weakness
    • Face drooping or uneven smile
    • Lost or unclear vision
    • Speech difficulty
    • Sudden loss of balance
  • 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 (ischemic stroke) or a blood vessel that ruptures and bleeds into the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). 

    In many cases, patients presenting with an acute stroke are suffering from an intracranial large vessel occlusion. This medical emergency is caused by a blood clot obstructing flow to a major brain artery.
     
  • What should I do if I think someone else is having a stroke?
     
    If you think someone is having a stroke, 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.

    If you or a loved one are experiencing a stroke — every second counts. Call 911 and go to the nearest ER.
     
  • 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 warning 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?

    Emergent treatment for ischemic stroke may include:

    • IV thrombolytic- medication used to dissolve clot and restore blood flow
    • Mechanical thrombectomy- procedure to remove a clot blocking blood flow to the brain

    Your doctors, nurses, and rehabilitation therapists help you recover after a stroke and help prevent a future stroke.

Neurointerventional lab thrombectomy (NIL)

Biplane imaging provides state-of-the-art interventional imaging for advanced stroke diagnosis and treatment.

Outcomes

Ascension stroke care teams closely monitor and evaluate outcomes to ensure the safest care for you and your loved ones. 

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 or speech difficulty — every second counts. Call 911 and go to the nearest ER.

*The Joint Commission is an independent accrediting organization. This accrediting body sets standards in healthcare to improve healthcare quality and safety. This recognition reflects our experience and advanced care to help improve stroke recovery outcomes.