Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive Stroke and Cerebrovascular Care
Northwestern Medicine offers the most advanced levels of certification for stroke programs. Our goal is to treat patients as quickly as possible and improve the likelihood they will have a positive outcome after their stroke.
If you suspect you are having a stroke, call 911 right away.
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Understanding Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease
Cerebrovascular disease refers to a group of conditions that affect the blood vessels and blood supply to the brain. A blockage, malformation, or hemorrhage can directly injure brain cells or prevent them from getting enough oxygen and nutrients, resulting in brain damage. Though not all cerebrovascular conditions explicitly pertain to stroke, they can lead to a stroke and may exhibit similar symptoms.
Areas of Care
Advanced Care and Technology
Northwestern Medicine is home to highly trained physicians, nurses and rehabilitation therapists who specialize in stroke care. We create individualized treatment plans that focus on your needs.
Our advanced care includes:
- Advanced Stroke Certification. Northwestern Medicine offers eight hospitals accredited by The Joint Commission as providing advanced levels of stroke care, including two Comprehensive Stroke Centers.
- Telestroke. We offer expansive telestroke network to provide vascular neurology consultations within seven minutes.
- Mobile Stroke Unit. The Mobile Stroke Unit is a specialized ambulance equipped with tools and staff normally only found inside a hospital. This unit is the first of its kind in Illinois, and one of the first in the world.
Stroke Videos
Meet the Teams
Conditions Treated
Though not all cerebrovascular conditions explicitly pertain to stroke, they will often lead to a stroke and may exhibit similar symptoms.
- Angiomas
- Carotid Artery Disease
- Carotid Dissection
- Carotid Stenosis
- Cavernous Malformations
- Cerebral Aneurysms
- Cerebral or Spinal Arteriovenous Malformations and Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas
- Embolic Stroke
- Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia
- Head and Neck AVMs and Lymphatic or Venous Malformations
- Hemifacial Spasm
- Hemorrhagic Stroke
- Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension and Venous Stenosis
- Intracerebral Hemorrhage
- Intracranial Stenosis
- Ischemic Stroke
- Moyamoya Disease
- Neurovascular Compression Syndromes
- Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)
- Stroke
- Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
- Thrombotic Stroke
- Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Vertebral Artery Disease
Diagnostic Testing
Several kinds of tests will help determine what kind of stroke you had and help identify what may have caused it.
- Carotid Ultrasound and Transcranial Doppler
- Catheter Cerebral Angiography
- Computed Tomography (CT) Scan for Stroke
- Computed Tomography Angiography
- Computed Tomography Perfusion
- Echocardiogram
- Magnetic Resonance Angiogram (MRA)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI/MRA) for Stroke
- Transesophageal Echocardiogram TEE
- Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE)
Treatments
Once the team has reviewed your tests and determined what type of stroke you’re having, they can choose the best treatment for you.