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The UPMC Altoona Primary Stroke Center focuses on the quick assessment and diagnosis of strokes.
The national standard for treating stroke requires that patients have a CT scan within 20 minutes of getting to the hospital. Our team is often able to diagnose a stroke in even less time.
To make an appointment for outpatient stroke care, call 814-889-3930.
We are located in Building E3 on UPMC Altoona's campus.
A person who's had a stroke should be brought to a hospital, where health care professionals trained in stroke care can monitor and treat them. It's vital to diagnose and treat a stroke as quickly as possible.
If someone has an ischemic stroke, their doctor will give them medicines to dissolve blood clots, thin the blood to prevent additional clots, and to stop the chain reaction of stroke damage. Occasionally, a surgeon will use a catheter to access and remove a large blood clot in the brain.
If someone has a hemorrhagic stroke, they may need a combination of drugs and, possibly, surgery. Medications will include drugs to ensure blood is clotting normally and to prevent or reverse brain swelling. Surgery may be needed to remove blood and decrease pressure on the brain or to repair ruptured blood vessels.
The UPMC Altoona Primary Stroke Center works in the community to raise awareness about strokes and to help people learn about their risk of having a stroke.
You're at risk of having a stroke if you:
At the UPMC Altoona Primary Stroke Center, we offer a comprehensive approach to stroke testing. This lets our doctors quickly learn if a person is having a stroke and start treatment right away.
Some of the tests we use to assess stroke include:
This quick NIH exam helps doctors learn how severe a stroke is by looking at factors such as:
CT scans and MRIs show the location and type of stroke.
Imaging scans to help doctors pinpoint bleeding sites in the brain include:
Doctors may also use the following to look for bleeding or clotting disorders:
After these tests show the type and location of the stroke, our team can design a treatment plan and start work immediately.
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