Swedish Medical Center is the first hospital in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region to be named a Comprehensive Stroke Center by the Joint Commission, a prestigious national medical accreditation organization. This certification recognizes our advanced technology, our dedicated, highly trained staff and our smooth stroke processes that help ensure the right care is received at the right time. We treat more strokes with more advanced techniques and technology than any other hospital in the Rocky Mountain Region.
If you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms of a stroke, B.E. F.A.S.T. Think Swedish.
Why Choose a Comprehensive Stroke Center?
When it comes to receiving stroke care, time is vitally important. It's also important to get the right type of care to receive the best chance for making a full recovery. Because our stroke program is so large, our team is highly experienced in using the latest technology and techniques to give our patients the best chance for returning to an active lifestyle.
Colorado's First Comprehensive Stroke Center
Swedish Stroke Center Extensive Telestroke Network Stroke Survivor Stories Find a Doctor Swedish ERs Near You
What is a stroke?
A stroke, or "brain attack," occurs when blood flow to an area of the brain is cut off. The cells in the affected area of the brain do not get oxygen and begin to die off. Abilities controlled by the brain, such as muscle control or memory, can be lost. Many Americans will suffer a stroke, yet most people in the U.S. cannot identify the warning signs of a stroke. It's important to remember BE FAST:
B - Balance: Ask the person if they have balance problems
E- Eyes: Ask the person if they have loss of vision or blurriness in one or both eyes
F - Face: Ask the person to smile, does one side of the face droop downward?
A - Arm: Can the person raise both arms?
S - Speech: Is speech slurred or confusing?
T - Time: Time to call 9-1-1 immediately.
Learn more with the latest news from our program:
Don't take just take our word for it; hear from our patients!
Swedish Stroke Survivors
When Dennis felt queasy and light-headed, his wife, Joyce, knew something was wrong. She called 9-1-1 and told to rush Dennis to the Swedish Southwest ER in Littleton.
Frances Mackey suffered a stroke in Spearfish, SD, a Swedish Medical Center telestroke site. Swedish stroke neurologists used telemedicine technology to evaluate her immediately. Frances was airlifted to Swedish Medical Center to receive a higher level of care.
The stroke Bill survived was the most severe kind of ischemic stroke. But 24 hours after his stroke started, Bill had completely recovered.
