Types of Stroke and Neurovascular Diseases We Treat

A stroke is a serious medical emergency that can change your life. At Henry Ford Health System, you are in expert hands. We quickly assess stroke symptoms and deliver treatments that limit the effects of stroke on your future health. Our team excels in all aspects of stroke care, including prevention and recovery.

What Is a Stroke?

A stroke disrupts the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. Permanent damage or death can occur within minutes. Emergency stroke treatment from Henry Ford may prevent or minimize brain damage and preserve your quality of life.

If you think you or a loved one is having a stroke, dial 911. Studies show stroke patients who arrive at the hospital by ambulance receive faster treatment than those arriving on their own.

Types of Stroke We Treat

The types of stroke our teams treat include:

• Hemorrhagic stroke happens when a blood vessel tears (ruptures), causing blood to leak into the brain. Find out more about hemorrhagic stroke.
• Ischemic stroke occurs when a clot disrupts blood flow to the brain. Read more about ischemic stroke.
• Transient ischemic attack is a temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain that signals you are in danger of a stroke. Learn more about transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Other Neurovascular Conditions We Treat

We detect, manage and treat other neurovascular diseases that cause a stroke.

These conditions include:

• Aneurysm: A weakened blood vessel wall pushes outward, filling with blood. The aneurysm can rupture and lead to a hemorrhagic stroke.
• Carotid artery disease: This condition occurs when waxy deposits (plaques) collect in the walls of the carotid arteries in the neck. Plaques can slow blood flow to the brain or break off and block smaller blood vessels.
• Intracranial artery disease: This condition occurs when waxy deposits (plaques) collect in the walls of arteries in the brain. Intracranial artery disease can lead to TIA and stroke and requires expert care.
• Carotid or vertebral artery dissection: Young patients may develop stroke when the arteries of the head or neck tear with no known cause (spontaneously).
• Moyamoya disease: This rare condition causes narrowing in the brain’s arteries and can cause both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Expert neurological and neurosurgical care can help patients achieve better results.
• Central nervous system vasculitis: Inflammation may cause brain arteries may to narrow, causing stroke and seizures.

Stroke and Neurovascular Disease Care at Henry Ford: Why Choose Us?

At Henry Ford, you receive care from compassionate, experienced stroke experts who hold themselves to the highest care standards. Our team includes specialists in vascular neurology, neurosurgery, neuroradiology and vascular surgery who treat a high volume of patients each year. They work together to deliver the best treatment for you. Meet our stroke team.

Highlights of our program include:

• Easy access: We stand ready in nine emergency rooms throughout southeast and south central Michigan. No matter which Henry Ford location you come to, we start assessing your symptoms within minutes. For complex cases, we may quickly coordinate a transfer to the Comprehensive Stroke Center at Henry Ford Hospital. Read more about acute stroke services.
• Innovative care: Treatment for complex stroke includes procedures using long tubes (catheters) and real-time imaging to safely restore blood flow to the brain. We participate in research and development of new care methods for treating stroke and lowering complication rates. Find out more about stroke research and innovation.
• Focus on prevention: We provide follow-up care for stroke survivors to lower the risk of a second stroke. Our services also include personalized prevention plans that help many people avoid a first-time stroke. Explore stroke prevention.