OhioHealth Continues To Increase Access to Advanced Stroke Care Across Ohio During Stroke Awareness Month
Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States experiences a stroke. OhioHealth is highlighting the importance of fast action, prevention and coordinated access to expert neurological care across the state.
At the center of that effort is OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, home to one of the region’s leading comprehensive stroke programs. As a Comprehensive Stroke Center, Riverside Methodist provides the highest level of stroke care available, treating the most complex stroke cases with advanced technology, specialized neurointerventional teams and around-the-clock expertise.
“Stroke care is truly a race against time,” said B.J. Hicks, MD, Vascular Neurologist at OhioHealth. “The faster a patient receives specialized treatment, the greater the opportunity to reduce long-term disability and improve recovery outcomes. That’s why building a connected, statewide system of care matters so deeply.”
OhioHealth’s integrated stroke network connects hospitals, emergency departments and clinical teams across the health system to neurological expertise at all hours of the day. Through advanced telemedicine capabilities, standardized protocols and coordinated emergency response, patients across Ohio can quickly access stroke specialists and critical treatment recommendations closer to home.
One of the most innovative pieces of that network is the OhioHealth Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit, a specialized ambulance equipped with advanced brain imaging technology, stroke medications and a highly trained stroke team capable of beginning diagnosis and treatment before a patient arrives at the hospital.
“The Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit allows us to bring stroke expertise directly to the patient,” said Dr. Hicks. “In many cases, that means treatment can begin precious minutes sooner, and in stroke care, those minutes can make a life-changing difference.”
OhioHealth experts say awareness and prevention remain critical. Up to 80 percent of strokes may be preventable through healthy lifestyle choices and proactive management of medical conditions.
Key ways to reduce stroke risk include:
- Managing high blood pressure
- Staying physically active
- Eating a heart-healthy diet
- Maintaining healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels
- Avoiding tobacco use
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Managing stress and prioritizing sleep
- Working with a primary care provider to monitor overall cardiovascular health
OhioHealth also encourages the community to remember the warning signs of stroke using the acronym FAST:
- Face drooping
- Arm weakness
- Speech difficulty
- Time to call 911
“Many people assume stroke only impacts older adults, but stroke can happen at any age,” said Dr. Hicks. “Knowing the warning signs, acting quickly and taking preventive steps today can save a life tomorrow.”
During Stroke Awareness Month, OhioHealth is encouraging families across the region to learn the signs of stroke, understand their personal risk factors and have conversations with their healthcare providers about prevention and brain health.
