What is Stroke?
Providence Alaska Neuroscience Center combines compassion, dedication and clinical excellence to deliver outstanding evidence-based care to patients with neurological and neurosurgical disorders. Providence’s stroke team is led by Dr. Robert Lada, the only board certified vascular neurologist in Alaska, and Stroke Program Coordinator, Robin Shabica RN. The stroke team includes board-certified neurologists, neurosurgeons, endovascular and interventionally specialized physicians, neuropsychologists and physiatrists. The team provides acute and rehabilitative services for patients with disorders of the nervous system including the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles. Types of Stroke
Ischemic Strokes account for 87 percent of all strokes, and are caused by a blood clot or blockage in an artery. TIA (Transient Ischemetic Attack) or “mini stroke” is a temporary loss of blood flow to the brain. TIA is an important warning that a stroke is likely to occur. Signs and symptoms of a TIA are the same as stroke and may last minutes to hours. Hemorrhagic Strokes occur when weakened blood vessels within the brain rupture and bleed into the surrounding tissue. This type of stroke affects larger areas of the brain and its symptoms are more sudden and severe, carrying a greater risk of death.
Stroke Signs and Symptoms: If you experience any of the symptoms below, call 911 immediately.
• sudden confusion
• sudden trouble speaking
• sudden numbness or weakness in an arm or leg
• sudden severe headache
• sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• sudden dizziness or trouble walking
Visit the following Web sites for more information on stroke: American Stroke Association
National Stroke Association
The Brain Attack Coalition | 
