Stroke Care at Baptist Health System

Offering the city’s first Brain and Stroke Network, Baptist Health System provides accredited, award-winning stroke care at all five of our hospitals across San Antonio. We provide lifesaving care for stroke patients. Baptist Health System offers:

• The city’s first Brain & Stroke Network, providing lifesaving stroke treatment close to home
• Primary Stroke Center Certification at all our hospitals — the first hospital system in San Antonio to do so
• 24/7 neurosurgery coverage
• Access to clot-busting drugs, including tPA
• Stroke telemedicine services
• Experienced physical, occupational and speech therapists trained in Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation and Outpatient Stroke Rehabilitation
• Stroke education programs
• iSchemaView RAPID-technology for stroke emergencies
• The highest level of stroke care at St. Luke's Baptist Hospital's Comprehensive Stroke Center
• The first Level Il Thrombectomy-Capable/Primary Plus Stroke Certification in Texas at Northeast Baptist Hospital

Awards and Accreditations for Our System’s Stroke Care

We’ve been nationally recognized for our stroke care. Recognitions include:

• The Joint Commission’s Primary Stroke Center Advanced Certification
• American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus Award
• American Stroke Association’s Target: Stroke Honor Roll
• DNV-GL Healthcare Designation Comprehensive Stroke Center at St. Luke's Baptist Hospital
• The first Level II Thrombectomy-Capable/Primary Plus Stroke Certification in Texas at Northeast Baptist Hospital

What Is Stroke?

Stroke, also called brain attack, occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted. Disruption in blood flow is caused when either a blood clot or piece of plaque blocks one of the vital blood vessels in the brain (ischemic stroke), or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into surrounding tissues (hemorrhagic stroke).

Signs and Symptoms of Stroke

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Help prevent death and disability by learning the signs and symptoms of stroke. Acting FAST can get patients the treatment they need to decrease the likelihood of brain damage.

• Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
• Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? Can the patient repeat the sentence correctly?
• Time: Get the affected person to the hospital right away to receive the most effective stroke treatment.

If a person is having trouble with these basic commands, call 911 immediately.

Stroke Survivor Stories

When Domingo suddenly collapsed, he lost his ability to speak. His daughter immediately called 9-1-1 and EMS determined he was having a stroke. Domingo was rushed to the Baptist Health System, where he was given the care he needed to recover from what could have been fatal.

When Valorie suddenly experienced a splitting headache on January 1st, 2021, she knew something was wrong. She unlocked her front door then laid down and called 9-1-1. She was rushed to Northeast Baptist Hospital where she immediately received lifesaving care. Valorie says facing death was a scary thing, but her experience has given her a new passion for life and her health.

When Carlos Herrera suffered a stroke, the Baptist Health System team not only saved his life, but put him on the path to recovery. Here's his story.