Page - Stroke

Stroke is a Brain Injury

Stroke is the 5th cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States

80 percent of strokes are preventable

The Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa is committed to helping Iowans with stroke access resources, education, and support. Stroke is an acquired brain injury and can change lives forever. Getting the right treatment, information and resources is important to live well after a stroke.

What is a Stroke?

A stroke is a brain injury that occurs when a part of the brain is cut off from its blood supply. The two main types of strokes are ischemic strokes (caused by a blocked artery) and hemorrhagic strokes (caused by a ruptured artery). Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) are “warning strokes” that produce symptoms similar to a stroke but cause little to no lasting damage. Both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes are serious brain injuries that may lead to long-term disabilities and even death. In fact, strokes are the number one cause of adult disabilities, the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, and the fourth leading cause of death in Iowa.

Iowa Stroke Resource Network (ISRN) – Directory

If you are a professional serving Iowans impacted by stroke, regardless of your area of expertise, we want to hear from you, as we are building a resource network of professionals called a Stroke Resource Network. We would love to add you as a partner. For more information about ISRN, click HERE. Similar to our Brain Injury Tote Bag, we have developed a Stroke Bag. Our Stroke Bag is designed to keep Iowans impacted by brain injury informed on the latest resources and supports available. All Stroke Resource Network partners will receive Stroke Bags to share with clients they are serving who are impacted by Stroke.

Stroke Bag:

In addition to our general Brain Injury Tote Bag content, each Stroke Bag will also have the following:

Stroke Prevention Fact Sheet

Stroke Rehabilitation Planning List

Life After a Stroke: Our Path Forward

A Caregiver’s Guide to Stroke

Making Rehabilitation Decisions guide

Understanding Stroke Risk guide

Iowa Stroke Centers

Stroke Certification is offered through the Joint Commission in collaboration with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Achieving Primary Stroke Center (PSC) Certification means the program has made exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for patients with stroke. Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Centers adopt a set of standardized performance measures, and data is collected monthly and submitted to the Joint Commission. Iowa has 17 Primary Certified Stroke Centers and 1 Comprehensive Stroke Center, which is the highest level of certification available and is designed for excellence in the care of stroke patients.

Primary Stroke Centers:

Mercy DBQ

UPH DBQ

Genesis

UPH Bettendorf

Mercy Cedar Rapids

St. Luke’s Cedar Rapids

Mercy Iowa City

UPH Allen Waterloo

Mercy Mason City

Mary Greeley Ames

UPH Methodist