About Us

If you or a family member suffers a stroke and is admitted to one of Martin Memorial's hospitals, you can be assured that you will receive the most effective and efficient treatment. Early treatment at the first sign of stroke is crucial to improving chances for recovery. Martin Memorial has been recognized as a 100 Top Hospital for Stroke Care by Solucient for its clinical excellence and efficient delivery of stroke care.

Our Team

In addition to your doctor, Martin Memorial's stroke care team consists of a number of professionals.

Stroke Rehabilitation Nurse
Our specially-trained stroke rehabilitation nurse assesses and reviews the patient's signs and symptoms. The nurse will coordinate all necessary tests, and record observations and medical history as part of a comprehensive patient assessment. These findings are then reported to the physician and other team members.

Case Manager
The case manager makes sure the patient's care is coordinated for the best possible outcomes. He or she serves as a liaison between the patient, doctors, nurses, therapists and insurance company.

Speech Language Pathologist
A speech language pathologist will evalutate the patient for impairments to the brain that may be affecting cognition, speech, language, voice and swallowing. He or she will recommend treatment to reduce or overcome these impairments.

Dietician
A registered dietitian will screen the patient for nutritional risk and develop short-term and long-term nutrition care programs. He or she will also monitor the effectiveness of medical nutrition therapy and revise as necessary. The dietician also educates the family and the patient about therapeutic diet modification.

Physical Therapist
The physical therapist will address deficits in functional mobility and motor control. He or she will assess gait, transfers in and out of bed or chair, bed mobility, general muscle strength, range of motion and balance. Our goal is to restore functional independence in the shortest time possible.

Occupational Therapist
The occupational therapsit addresses activities of daily living that are essential to a person's regular daily functioning. These include sensation, perception, cognition and motor deficits that may affect self-care. Occupational rehabilitation will allow the patient to transition to a more intensive rehabilitation program or return home.

About Stroke and Stroke Prevention

Stroke is the third leading cause of death, killing about 163,500 people each year, and is the nation's third leading cause of death, ranking behind heart diseases and all forms of cancer. Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the U.S.

Although early treatment at the first sign of stroke is important for optimal recovery, the best medicine is still prevention. You can reduce your risk for stroke by following a few easy steps.

• Exercise three times a week for 30 minutes each session
• Limit your alcohol consumption
• Reduce your cholesterol
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet
• Visit your doctor for expert advice

Your doctor can help you evaluate your risk for stroke and help you make any lifestyle modifications that might be necessary. If you need a doctor, search our physican directory or call (772) 221-2088.

Who is at Risk

Risk factors for stroke include:

• Family history of stroke
• High blood pressure
• Cigarette smoking
• Carotid artery disease
• Aged 55 or older
• Previous stroke or transient ischaemic attack (temporary paralysis, numbness, speech difficulty or other neurologic symptoms that start suddenly and recover within 24 hours)
• Overweight

Take a stroke risk assessment test.

Stroke Symptoms

It is important to recognize these most common stroke symptoms:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble with walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Other less-common symptoms of stroke include:

• Sudden nausea, fever and vomiting distinguished from a viral illness by the speed of onset (minutes or hours vs. several days)
• Brief loss of consciousness or period of decreased consciousness (fainting, confusion, convulsions or coma)

Support Group

Martin Memorial's stroke support group meets once a month. Stoke patients and their families are welcome and encouraged to come. Check our calendar for support group dates, times and locations.