Stroke

What is a Stroke  |  Warnings  |  Risks  |  Preventing Stroke  |  Women's Choice Award

If you have a stroke, where you are treated can have a significant impact on your potential for recovery. Patients in central Connecticut have the advantage of having a Primary Stroke Center, right here at MidState Medical Center.

The team at our Stroke Center is committed to assessing and treating stroke patients in a timely manner to enhance positive outcomes and increase the chance of a full recovery.

Our multidisciplinary Stroke Team includes:

  • Neurologists and Case Managers who oversee your care
  • Physical Therapists that help you regain mobility
  • Occupational Therapists that teach you everyday tasks like bathing and dressing
  • Speech Pathologists that address your speaking and swallowing abilities
  • Nurses who are specially trained in the care of stroke patients

Every stroke is different. Depending upon your age and other medical conditions, our Stroke Team will determine the best approach to help you regain functioning and meet your optimal rehabilitation goals.

What is a Stroke?

Strokes happen suddenly. And their effects can be debilitating. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain either bursts, or is blocked by a clot. This causes brain cells to die, resulting in potential paralysis, loss of speech, visual impairment and other problems.

A stroke isn't a one-size-fits-all condition. There are many forms, ranging from mild to severe. The two most common types of stroke are ischemic and hemorrhagic. An ischemic stroke occurs when there's a blockage (a clot or a narrowed artery) that restricts blood flow to the brain. Bleeding in the brain, due to a broken blood vessel, causes hemorrhagic strokes.

Warning Signs

Use the acronym BE FAST to help you remember that when stroke strikes, seconds count, and recognizing the symptoms of a stroke can save someone’s life.

Here's a quick way to identify the signs of a stroke:

  • BALANCE, watch for sudden loss of balance

  • EYES, check for vision loss

  • FACIAL paralysis, weakness or numbness

  • ARM paralysis, weakness or numbness (this usually occurs on one side of the body)

  • SPEECH that is slurred; trouble speaking or understanding - these symptoms accompanied by sudden confusion, loss of vision, or unexplained dizziness mean you need to get help FAST because,

  • TIME is critical

Remember the BE FAST acronym. It might save your life!
BEFAST
Download the poster (English & Spanish) 

Risk Factors

There are some risk factors you can't control. But there are many factors - changes in habits and lifestyle - that are in your power to change.

It's important to learn what you can do to decrease your chances of suffering from a debilitating a stroke:

  • Age (getting older puts you at risk)
  • Race (African Americans are at much higher risk for a stroke)
  • Family History (a strong family history puts you at higher risk)
  • High Blood Pressure (at the top of the list of controllable risk factors)
  • Smoking (increases blood pressure and encourages blood to clot)
  • Physical Inactivity
  • Obesity
  • High Cholesterol
  • Alcohol/Drug Abuse
  • Diabetes (can harm the blood vessels in the brain over time, often accompanied by high blood pressure)
  • Heart Disease

Atrial Fibrillation (can cause blood clots; if clot travels to the brain, a stroke may occur)
Our Stroke Center offers ongoing community education programs and stroke screenings to help you become aware of your risk and learn what steps you can take to get that risk under control. Check out the MidState's Calendar of Events for upcoming stroke programs.

Preventing a Stroke

There are many myths associated with strokes... "They only happen to the elderly." Or, "They can't be prevented." In reality, strokes can affect people of all ages, genders and ethnicities. Some factors are beyond your control, but many others aren't.

Preventing a stroke is similar to preventing many other health conditions, such as cancer and diabetes. It takes an understanding of your risk factors, planning and a commitment to making healthier choices.

Here's what you can do to help prevent a stroke:

  • Eat well
  • Exercise regularly
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • If you smoke, get the support you need to quit
  • If you have alcohol/drug abuse issues, get the support you need
  • Talk with your doctor about your: blood pressure, cholesterol, & diabetes

If you make healthy lifestyle choices, you'll be giving your brain and your body the best chance of keeping a stroke at bay.

MidState Medical Center nationally recognized for high-quality stroke care

Stroke Gold Plus 2025 Award

MidState Medical Center has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus award. This quality achievement award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment based on nationally recognized, research-driven guidelines, ultimately leading to lives saved and reduced disability.

“MidState Medical Center is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said Timothy Parsons, MD. “Get With The Guidelines helps our teams put proven knowledge and best practices to work every day, which studies show can improve patient recovery. Our goal is to ensure more people in the Meriden area experience longer, healthier lives.”

Get With The Guidelines leverages the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to help hospitals nationwide align patient care with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. The Stroke program promotes consistent adherence to these standards, minimizing long-term stroke effects and even preventing death.

Each year, hospitals qualify for this award by demonstrating their commitment to high-quality stroke care. In addition to following treatment guidelines, participants educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home.

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America’s Best Stroke Centers by the Women’s Choice Award®

Women’s Choice Stroke 2025

MidState Medical Center has been named one of America’s Best Stroke Centers by the Women’s Choice Award®, America’s trusted referral source for top healthcare. This recognition places MidState in the top 4% of 4,542 U.S. hospitals reviewed.

To be considered, a stroke center must be certified by the Joint Commission Stroke Certification Program and/or Det Norske Veritas (DNV) as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center or Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center. Centers with the Advanced Comprehensive designation receive additional credit.

This award is the only one recognizing excellence in stroke care based on rigorous criteria, including patient satisfaction and clinical performance. Selection considers Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey results along with primary research on women’s healthcare preferences.

Eligible hospitals must score in the top 80% for the percentage of patients receiving Head CT scan results within 45 minutes and cannot have a rating worse than the national rate for deaths from serious treatable complications.

MidState Medical Center is one of 459 award recipients nationwide that meet the highest standards for stroke care.

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Stroke Center