The East Valley Stroke Center
The East Valley Stroke Center is now a nationally certified Primary Stroke Center.
The East Valley Stroke Center works in conjunction with the John J. Rhodes Rehabilitation Institute. The goal of the center and the institute is to help patients recover from a stroke and adapt to disabilities in order to enhance their quality of life.
Learn more about the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval 
What is Stroke?
Stroke is the leading cause of disability and the third leading cause of death in the United States. Also called “brain attack,” stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain develops a clot or bursts. Due to the interruption of blood and oxygen, brain cells quickly begin to die. These cells cannot recover and, for this reason, the disabling effects of stroke can be permanent. The individuals affected may lose function in various parts of their bodies depending upon the area of the brain damaged by stroke.
The Stroke Unit
The Stroke Unit at Banner Baywood Medical Center offers patients suffering from a recent stroke a dedicated nursing unit from which to receive care. Staff on the unit are highly skilled in caring for patients suffering from strokes and related illnesses.
Risk Factors for Stroke
Risk of stroke varies among individuals. Your heredity and other factors beyond your control may put you at increased risk. These risks include:
- Age – while you can have a stroke at any age, your risk doubles each decade after age 55.
- Gender – while men and women both have strokes, men are 19 percent more likely to suffer a stroke.
- Race – while people of all races have strokes, African Americans have a higher risk, especially with associate high blood pressure.
- Prior stroke – once you have had a stroke, your future risk is increased.
- Heredity – if family members have had a stroke, your risk is higher.
Lifestyle Changes Can Reduce Risks
You can, however, make positive changes in your lifestyle that will significantly reduce your personal risk. The following is a list of factors that you, with your physician’s help, may be able to minimize.
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes mellitus
- Use of tobacco and/or abuse of alcohol
- Heart disease
- High cholesterol
- Transient ischemic attacks (mini-strokes)
- Obesity or lack of exercise
Warning Signs of Stroke
It is very important to seek medical help immediately if you feel that you may have suffered a stroke. The American Stroke Association identifies the following as common warning signs.
- Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg on one side of the body
- Sudden dimness or loss of vision, especially in one eye
- Sudden loss of speech or trouble understanding speech
- Sudden severe headaches with no apparent cause, especially in connection with the other symptoms
- Unexplained loss of balance, unsteadiness or falls
- Unexplained loss of consciousness
For more information about stroke, please contact the American Stroke Association’s Stroke Connection Warmline at 1 (800) 553-6321, www.strokeassociation.org; or the National Stroke Association at
1(800)STROKES (787-6527), www.stroke.org.