Stroke specialists in Idaho Falls, Idaho
Our dedicated stroke facility offers advanced care in our community.
At Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC), we deliver comprehensive treatment for strokes. The expert team at our Primary Stroke Center works with compassion and urgency, giving you or a loved one essential support when you need it most.
Expert advice, available 24/7
Free health-related information is just a phone call away. Our nurses help you understand your symptoms, treatment options and procedures. They will also help you find a provider or specialist and schedule an appointment.
Free health-related information is just a phone call away. Our nurses help you understand your symptoms, treatment options and procedures. They will also help you find a provider or specialist and schedule an appointment.
Related specialties
Learn more about our related specialties.
Symptoms of a stroke
When you or your loved one experiences a stroke, you may have some sudden symptoms, including:
- Arm, face or leg numbness
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Loss of vision
- Speaking issues
- Trouble walking
- Weakness on one side of the body
Our accredited stroke services
To provide advanced stroke care, we combine the skills of neurologists, registered nurses (RNs), dietitians, interventional radiologists and other specialists.
Risk factors for stroke
You are more likely to experience a stroke if you're 60 years or older, but common risk factors can make you more susceptible as soon as 40 years old. Women may have a slightly higher risk of stroke than men because of contraceptive use. Other primary stroke risk factors include:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking
Types of strokes we treat
The two types of strokes are ischemic and hemorrhagic. The vast majority of strokes are ischemic, which occur when a clot blocks blood flow in the brain. A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding that interferes with the brain's ability to function, which can happen within the brain or between the brain and the skull.
Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), which produce no lasting damage, are stroke symptoms that go away shortly after starting, due to temporary blockages. Even if your symptoms disappear entirely, it is critical to visit with a neurologist to assess your continued risk of stroke.
Our stroke treatment process
When you get to our hospital, we perform a computerized tomography (CT) scan to help determine the type of stroke you or your loved one. Depending on your recent medical history, and if you arrive within three hours of your first symptoms, we begin administering tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) therapy. This intravenous (IV), clot-busting medication is used to dissolve the clot.
Within 24 hours of experiencing symptoms, our neurologists and interventional radiologists may decide to intervene further using one of multiple procedures we offer, including a thrombectomy. They can do this by inserting a catheter through the groin, which allows them to access the artery leading to the brain.
Stroke rehabilitation
We share the same goal for stroke rehabilitation as you, which is to maximize your recovery so you can return to the fullest level of independence. To best meet your health needs, our rehabilitation therapy team specializes in multiple areas, including:
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Respiratory therapy
- Speech therapy
In addition to being certified as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission, we are proud to be considered a Stroke Level II+ Center by the Idaho Time Sensitive Emergency (TSE) council.
How to recognize a stroke
To stay prepared for a possible stroke, it is important to remember "B.E. F.A.S.T.," which spells out the typical warning signs to look out for.
Warning signs of a stroke
Through the memorable, widely used acronym — "B.E. F.A.S.T" — part of our goal is to educate you on the signs of a stroke. These include:
- Balance — Have your loved one walk to see if they veer to one side or feel dizzy.
- Eyes — Cover one of their eyes at a time and ask them if they notice any vision changes.
- Face — Ask them to smile to see if one side of their mouth droops.
- Arms — Ask them to lift both arms, seeing if one uncontrollably lowers more than the other.
- Speech — Ask them to repeat simple phrases, assessing their confusion level and ability to speak.
- Time — If your loved one exhibits any of these symptoms, time is of the essence. Call 911 immediately and tell the dispatcher you think they may be experiencing a stroke.
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