Stroke Program

Jupiter Medical Center is proud to be a Certified Primary Stroke Center, a distinction bestowed by The Joint Commission. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization's commitment to meeting certain performance standards.

What is a Stroke & What is the Cause?

A stroke is a sudden impairment in brain function when blood supply to the brain is cut off. Stroke can result in loss of speech, inability to walk, or loss of movement in the arms or legs because blood has stopped fl owing to an area of the brain. Usually, this is caused by the blockage, or the rupture, of a blood vessel that carries blood to the brain.

What are the Different Types of Stroke?

There are two major categories of stroke:

• Ischemic Stroke. This type of stroke is caused by a clot blocking the flow of blood in the artery to the brain.
• Hemorrhagic Stroke. This occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, and blood pools inside or around healthy brain tissue.

Can a Stroke be Stopped?

The symptoms of a stroke come on suddenly and stroke should be emphasized as an emergency situation. There are treatments that can reduce the risk of damage from a stroke, but only if you get help quickly. Time is particularly critical because every second counts! We believe it's fundamentally important and hopefully reassuring to you and your neighbors to have a hospital like Jupiter Medical Center nearby with a dedicated staff and program specifi cally focused on stroke care, 24  hours a day, 7 days a week.

But we also want you to be aware of stroke warning signs, recognize the risk factors and think FAST:

• Face: Smile. Does one side of the face droop?
• Arms: Raise both. Does one arm drift downward?
• Speech: Talk. Are words slurred? Is a sentence repeated correctly?
• Time: Don't wait. If any of these symptoms are present, call 911 immediately.

Stroke Prevention Guidelines & Risk Factors

Many factors can increase your risk of a stroke, including: 

• Family history. Your risk of stroke is slightly greater if one of your parents or a brother or sister has had a stroke or heart attack.
• Age. Your risk of stroke increases as you get older.
• High blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure is the most important controllable risk factor for stroke.
• Diabetes. Although diabetes can be controlled, people with the disease are still more likely to have a stroke. This is mainly because of the circulation problems that diabetes causes.
• Race. According to the American Heart Association, African Americans have a higher risk of stroke than Caucasians do. This is mainly because African Americans have a higher risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.
• Smoking. According to the National Stroke Association, smoking doubles the risk for stroke.
• Heavy alcohol use. Drinking alcohol is recommended only in moderation.
• Physical inactivity. Inactivity is not only a major risk factor for developing coronary artery disease, but it can also lead to high blood pressure.

Our Stroke Team Strikes Back

When someone you know is experiencing a stroke and requires emergency care, it's reassuring to know expert help is immediately available. Team members include board certified emergency medicine physicians, nurses, interventional radiologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, case managers, social workers, dietitians, laboratory personnel, pharmacists, and a stroke program coordinator.

Stroke Prevention & Education

At Jupiter Medical Center, we are committed to the prevention of strokes. Early detection is vital to successful recovery. Our stroke team has placed a huge emphasis on patient and community education and screenings to increase awareness about stroke prevention. Knowing what to look for - and what lifestyle changes you must make - will lower the chance of a stroke as well as a stroke's potential impact.