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Stroke

What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked or bursts. Without blood and the oxygen it carries, part of the brain starts to die. The part of the body controlled by the damaged area of the brain can't work properly.

Brain damage can begin within minutes. That's why it's so important to know the symptoms of stroke and to act fast. Quick treatment can help limit damage to the brain and increase the chance of a full recovery.

Stroke Care at St. Luke’s
Our mission is to help you prevent stroke and recognize stroke in yourself and others when it occurs. In the event of a stroke, the specially trained physicians and nurses at St. Luke’s work closely with emergency medical personnel to provide the most advanced medical treatment available. We offer thrombolytic therapy, a clot-busting medication used to treat some ischemic strokes, as well as around-the-clock access to advanced diagnostic and neurointervention services. And, to support recovery, we offer complete stroke rehabilitation services including physiatry care and physical, speech, and occupational therapy.

Palliative medicine experts are also available to support care planning and help optimize quality of life for you and your family. We'll help you navigate the various aspects of recovery, identify priorities, and collaborate with the rest of the care team to drive toward what matters most to you.

Learn more about Stroke

Learn more at full Stroke Health Topic page

Highlights & Resources

Remember: "BE FAST" in Case of Stroke - Call 911!

  • B = Balance

    Is the person experiencing a sudden loss of balance? Do they lean to one side or stagger when walking?

  • E = Eyes

    Has the person lost vision in one or both eyes? Do they have double vision that doesn't go away with blinking their eyes?

  • F = Face

    Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

  • arms

    A = Arms

    Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

  • S = Speech

    Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Does their speech sound slurred or strange?

  • T = Time

    Stroke can be very treatable if care is immediate. For each minute a stroke goes untreated, about 1.9 million neurons are lost—seriously affecting speech, memory, movement, and more.

  • "BE FAST"

    If you observe any of these signs in yourself or others, call 911!

    Do NOT drive yourself to the hospital.

National and State Accreditation

  • Joint Commission

    The Joint Commission has recognized St. Luke's Boise, Meridian and Magic Valley as Advanced Primary Stroke Centers of Excellence.

  • Idaho Time Sensitive Emergency System - Trauma, Stroke, STEMI

    Idaho Time Sensitive Emergencies

    The Idaho Time Sensitive Emergency Program has designated St. Luke's Boise as a Level I Stroke Center, and St. Luke's Meridian and Magic Valley as Level II Stroke Centers.

Related Specialties

What to Expect After a Stroke

After a stroke, you may experience rapid mood changes. You may cry or laugh in situations that may not seem appropriate or match your current mood. You may also experience frustration, anxiety, anger, or sadness without explanation.

Clinical depression is a treatable illness that affects many stroke survivors. Symptoms include significant lack of energy and/or motivation, difficulty concentrating, problems sleeping, and difficulty finding enjoyment in anything. Talking about the effects of stroke can validate your feelings and help you cope with your emotions. 

Ask your provider about support groups, whether you’re a stroke survivor or someone who loves and cares for a stroke survivor. Talk to your doctor about an evaluation for clinical depression if symptoms continue.

Related Support

Support Groups

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Articles & Resources

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Doctors and families throughout Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada trust Air St. Luke’s to carry their precious cargo in a medical emergency. Our highly trained flight teams are dedicated to providing specialized emergency care and medical transport when you need it most, from heart attacks and stroke to pediatric trauma and back country accidents.


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Related Conditions

  • Transient Ischemic Attack

    When blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or reduced for a short time, often by a blood clot.

  • Brain Aneurysm

    Brain Aneurysm

    A brain aneurysm is a weak spot in a blood vessel in the brain that bulges or balloons outward.

  • Brain Hemorrhage

    Brain bleeds or hemorrhages are a kind of stroke cause by burst arteries in the brain.

Take Care, Someone Needs You.

You take care of others, so take care of yourself. Let us be your partner in health, whether you're recovering from an injury, checking in for your annual exam, or enjoying an online class.

Because when you take care of yourself, everyone around you benefits.

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