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Stroke symptoms require immediate care

Stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked (ischemic stroke) or breaks (hemorrhagic stroke). During a stroke, nearly two million brain cells die every minute, which makes getting the right care fast critical to limiting long-term disability or even saving life.

Baylor Scott & White Health offers advanced stroke care quickly through our emergency departments and stroke centers across North and Central Texas.

In many cases, a medication to eliminate blockages and restore blood flow (thrombolytic therapy) can be given, but it must be administered shortly after stroke symptoms begin. Other treatment and recovery options for a stroke may include:

  • Medication
  • Procedures
    • Carotid endarterectomy
    • Carotid stenting
    • Craniotomy
    • Patent foramen ovale closure
    • Surgery to repair aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations
    • Thrombectomy
  • Physical, occupational and speech therapy

Risk factors for stroke

Chances of having a stroke can increase based on certain factors.

Uncontrollable risk factors for stroke

  • Females have more strokes than males
  • Stroke can occur at any age, but the risk doubles every decade from age 65
  • Family history
  • African Americans have a higher risk of stroke than Caucasians
  • A previous stroke

Controllable risk factors for stroke

  • Manage chronic conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, sickle cell disease and diabetes
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Nutrition/Diet
  • Obesity
  • Smoking

Stroke treatment options

There is no cure for stroke once it has occurred, but advanced medical and surgical stroke treatments are available. These can help reduce your risk for another stroke.

Treatment for stroke is most effective when started right away, so it's important to know the signs of stroke and call 911 immediately if you suspect a stroke.

Treatment plans for patients will be determined by their care team based on age, medical history, type of stroke and personal preferences.

Learn more about neuroscience care

Treatment options

  • Medication
  • Thrombolytic therapy
  • Rehabilitation
  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Speech therapy
  • Surgery
  • Carotid endarterectomy
  • Carotid stenting
  • Craniotomy
  • Patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure
  • Surgery to repair aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)

Stroke centers

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Baylor Scott & White offers stroke care or telestroke care at more than a dozen locations across Central and North Texas.

Central Texas

Comprehensive Stroke Center

Primary Stroke Centers

North Texas

Comprehensive Stroke Center

Primary Stroke Centers

Telestroke care

Baylor Scott & White hospital emergency departments have immediate access to neurologists specializing in stroke care 24/7 through telemedicine. This technology allows a instantaneous involvement of a specialized stroke neurologist to evaluate a suspected stroke patient remotely using technology to guide treatment.

With telestroke technology, medical staff in the emergency department:

  • Consult with a board-certified stroke neurologist within minutes
  • Reduce time to acute stroke treatments
  • Coordinate appropriate care at the right facility for the patient
  • Improve outcomes for stroke victims

Dallas officer makes quick recovery after stroke

A Dallas police officer was back on the job less than a week after suffering a stroke—the fastest recovery Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas has ever seen.

Watch the story

Stroke support groups

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Looking for a stroke support group near you? Baylor Scott & White offers robust stroke resources for stroke victims and those who care for them, including both virtual stroke support groups and in-person meetings in North and Central Texas.

Stroke survivor and caregiver support groups can aid in stroke recovery by helping patients and their loved ones adjust to the changes in their life after a stroke. While family and friends play an important role in recovery, support groups for stroke victims can also help by allowing patients to share their journey with others going through a similar experience.

All stroke victims and caregivers are welcome at any of our groups regardless of where they are receiving care.

Virtual and in-person stroke support

  • College Station

    College Station

    Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – College Station

    When
    4th Tuesday of every month from 2:30 - 3:15 PM

    Format
    In-person

    Where
    1600 Joseph Dr, Ste 2000
    Bryan, TX 77802

    Registration
    No registration needed

    For questions, please contact Charlla Neason at 979.213.7037 or Charlla.Neason@EncompassHealth.com.

  • Dallas

    Dallas

    Baylor University Medical Center, part of Baylor Scott & White Health

    When
    Every Wednesday from 3:00 - 4:00 PM

    Format
    In-person

    Where
    3 Truett, 3500 Gaston Ave
    Dallas TX 75246

    Registration
    No registration required

    White Rock YMCA

    When
    Second Tuesday from 6:00 - 7:00 PM

    Format
    In-person

    Where
    7112 Gaston Ave
    Dallas TX 75246

    Registration
    No registration required

  • Grapevine

    Grapevine

    Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine

    When
    3rd Thursday of every month from 6:00 - 7:00 PM

    Format
    Virtual (Zoom)

    Registration
    Email RaBressler@BSWRehab.com and DesLogan@BSWRehab.com

  • Hillcrest

    Hillcrest

    Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Hillcrest

    When
    Last Tuesday of every month from 10:00 - 11:00 AM

    Format
    In-person

    Where
    613 Carlyle Dr
    Waco, TX 76710

    Registration
    No registration required

    Questions
    Call 254.744.9774

  • McKinney

    McKinney

    Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – McKinney

    When
    3rd Wednesday of every month from 3:30 - 4:30 PM

    Format
    In-person

    Where
    Darling classroom (2nd floor)
    5252 W University Dr
    McKinney, TX 75071

    Registration
    To register: Email Charisse.Barnes@BSWHealth.org

  • Plano

    Plano

    Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano

    When
    3rd Tuesday of every month from 4:00 - 5:00 PM

    Format
    In-person

    Where
    Education Rooms 1-4 (Ground level)
    4700 Alliance Blvd
    Plano, TX 75093

    Registration
    No registration required

    For questions, please contact Shanda.Sinkey@BSWHealth.org

  • Temple

    Temple

    Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple

    When
    1st Tuesday of every other month from 5:30 - 7:00 PM

    Format
    In-person

    Where
    Brindley Circles, 5th Floor, Room 504
    2401 S 31st St
    Temple, TX 76508

    Registration
    No registration required

  • Waxahachie

    Waxahachie

    Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Waxahachie

    When
    3rd Tuesday of every month from 6:00 -7:00 PM (starting Feb. 21)

    Format
    In-person

    Where
    Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Waxahachie
    Pitts Board Room
    2400 N I35 E
    Waxahachie, TX 75165

    Registration
    No registration needed

    For questions, please contact Kelli Hall at Kelli.Puente@BSWHealth.org and Lori Taffet at LETaffet@BSWRehab.com.

College Station

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – College Station

When
4th Tuesday of every month from 2:30 - 3:15 PM

Format
In-person

Where
1600 Joseph Dr, Ste 2000
Bryan, TX 77802

Registration
No registration needed

For questions, please contact Charlla Neason at 979.213.7037 or Charlla.Neason@EncompassHealth.com.

Dallas

Baylor University Medical Center, part of Baylor Scott & White Health

When
Every Wednesday from 3:00 - 4:00 PM

Format
In-person

Where
3 Truett, 3500 Gaston Ave
Dallas TX 75246

Registration
No registration required

White Rock YMCA

When
Second Tuesday from 6:00 - 7:00 PM

Format
In-person

Where
7112 Gaston Ave
Dallas TX 75246

Registration
No registration required

Grapevine

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine

When
3rd Thursday of every month from 6:00 - 7:00 PM

Format
Virtual (Zoom)

Registration
Email RaBressler@BSWRehab.com and DesLogan@BSWRehab.com

Hillcrest

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Hillcrest

When
Last Tuesday of every month from 10:00 - 11:00 AM

Format
In-person

Where
613 Carlyle Dr
Waco, TX 76710

Registration
No registration required

Questions
Call 254.744.9774

McKinney

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – McKinney

When
3rd Wednesday of every month from 3:30 - 4:30 PM

Format
In-person

Where
Darling classroom (2nd floor)
5252 W University Dr
McKinney, TX 75071

Registration
To register: Email Charisse.Barnes@BSWHealth.org

Plano

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano

When
3rd Tuesday of every month from 4:00 - 5:00 PM

Format
In-person

Where
Education Rooms 1-4 (Ground level)
4700 Alliance Blvd
Plano, TX 75093

Registration
No registration required

For questions, please contact Shanda.Sinkey@BSWHealth.org

Temple

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple

When
1st Tuesday of every other month from 5:30 - 7:00 PM

Format
In-person

Where
Brindley Circles, 5th Floor, Room 504
2401 S 31st St
Temple, TX 76508

Registration
No registration required

Waxahachie

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Waxahachie

When
3rd Tuesday of every month from 6:00 -7:00 PM (starting Feb. 21)

Format
In-person

Where
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Waxahachie
Pitts Board Room
2400 N I35 E
Waxahachie, TX 75165

Registration
No registration needed

For questions, please contact Kelli Hall at Kelli.Puente@BSWHealth.org and Lori Taffet at LETaffet@BSWRehab.com.

B.E.F.A.S.T. if you suspect a stroke

Knowing the signs of a stroke is one of the keys to successful recovery. Rashedul Hasan, MD, a vascular neurologist associated with Baylor Scott & White Health, discusses what to do when someone is having a stroke, common misconceptions about stroke and the latest breakthroughs in stroke treatment.

Watch the stroke webinar

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