Stroke care

Every minute counts when you or a loved one suffer a stroke. Fast, effective treatment minimizes brain damage and complications. That’s why our Acute Stroke Response Team is available around the clock and is activated immediately when critical patients arrive at our hospitals. As a Comprehensive Stroke Center, we are among a select group of hospitals that meet the highest standard of stroke care in the U.S. Our stroke specialists treat the full spectrum of stroke including ischemic (clotting) stroke and hemorrhagic (bleeding) stroke. We understand your medical needs and constantly monitor your progress. We make sure you receive the rehabilitative or specialized therapy services you need to transition home. Our goal is to provide as much support as possible to assist you in your stroke recovery. 

Choose Duke for your stroke prevention and stroke treatment because we offer:

• National leaders in stroke prevention and stroke care. We are part of a small group of the nation's elite hospitals certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center. To receive this certification, we meet rigorous standards set by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, and The Joint Commission, the national organization that accredits hospitals. If you are at risk for a stroke, we work closely with you to prevent stroke. If you have a stroke, you are treated by our specialized stroke team which includes experts from multiple specialties who have undergone advanced training and use the latest technology to deliver the fastest, most comprehensive stroke treatments possible.
• Dedicated stroke team. Our stroke specialists are board-certified in vascular neurology, a subspecialty of neurology that involves stroke care and/or neurologic intensive care. Our neurological care team also includes specially trained nurses, physical and occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, nutritionists, pharmacists, and technicians. All are trained to work with stroke patients.
• Award-winning services, excellent outcomes. Our neurological programs consistently rank among the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Our stroke team’s commitment to improving patient care and patient outcomes is recognized by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, which awarded us their Silver Plus Achievement Award and Target: Stroke Elite Honor Roll as part of their 2016 Get with the Guidelines-Stroke program.
• Carefully coordinated care. Your neurological care includes access to all of our specialists throughout your treatment and stroke recovery, including neuroradiologists, cardiologists, vascular surgeons, pharmacists, dieticians, and therapists, including physical, occupational, speech, and language experts.
• Breakthrough research. As a Comprehensive Stroke Center, we help set the national agenda for stroke prevention, stroke care, and stroke research. In fact, our team is helping to write the national guidelines for stroke prevention and treatment. Stroke specialists around the country look to us as leaders in research. Our work includes pioneering blood tests that enable doctors to accurately diagnose ischemic stroke more quickly, so treatment can begin sooner.
• Clinical trial access. We participate in studies and clinical trials that give you access to the latest treatments available. Ongoing trials include studies on the genetics of vascular disease, as well as new approaches to stroke prevention, stroke treatment, and ways to enhance post stroke recovery.
• Patient support. We sponsor a variety of stroke education and screening events, as well as support groups for patients and their loved ones. The Duke Stroke Support Group meets monthly, and public awareness events for stroke prevention take place throughout the year.