Our Lady of Lourdes Stroke Center of Excellence

Seconds count when it comes to a stroke, so recognizing symptoms and acting fast are crucial. This simple guide can save lives:

Prevention and education are pivotal to stroke patients’ recovery. Time is critical during a stroke, so we urge everyone to learn the signs of a stroke and B-E F-A-S-T (Balance, Eyesight, Face, Arm, Speech, Time):

• Balance Issues - Is the person having loss of coordination, trouble walking or dizziness?
• Eyesight Changes - Is the person having double vision or any trouble seeing?
• Face Drooping - Does the face look uneven? Ask the person to smile.
• Arm Weakness - Does one arm drift down? Ask the person to raise both arms.
• Speech Difficulty - Does their speech sound strange? Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase.
• Time - If you observe any of these signs, call 911 and get to the emergency room.

Stroke Warning Signs

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the 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 walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

Stroke Risk Factors Include:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Heavy alcohol use
• Physical inactivity and obesity
• Atrial fibrillation
• Family history of stroke

Louisiana Stroke Network

Founded by Our Lady of Lourdes Health, the Louisiana Stroke Network is a collaboration of local hospitals working in concert to provide the most comprehensive stroke care in Louisiana.

We are dedicated to lowering the mortality rate and lasting effects of disability caused by stroke in our community. We accomplish this through the use of robotic telemedicine technology that allows participating hospitals in outlying areas to have fast, 24/7 access to Lourdes' highly skilled neuromedical physicians and innovative treatments. Our stroke specialists can quickly perform live, real-time audiovisual assessments on remote patients who have suffered acute strokes—increasing the likelihood that clot-dissolving therapies can be delivered in time to reduce stroke disability.

Our network is championed by physicians including local ER doctors, neurologists, neurosurgeons and interventional neuroradiologists. We hope to add more outlying community hospitals to our network in the future.

The Louisiana Stroke Network also strives to build public awareness for the causes and symptoms of stroke by promoting education and prevention. By coming together to support regional stroke care, we can provide the people of our communities with the knowledge and care they need for a healthier future.