Tahoe Forest and Incline Village’s skilled teams lead the way in rural stroke care

The stroke team at Tahoe Forest Health System has been recognized as a leading rural acute stroke receiving center by the American Heart Association. We’re here if you need us, but our focus is on prevention and early detection of stroke. Understanding what a stroke is, recognizing its symptoms, and taking steps to prevent it can make a significant difference in reducing its impact.

If you or someone you know experiences signs of a stroke, act quickly to get medical attention—every second counts.

Learn more about stroke

What is stroke?

A stroke is a serious medical condition that occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting the oxygen and nutrients it needs. This disruption can cause brain cells to die within minutes, leading to potentially severe and life-altering consequences. Strokes are a leading cause of disability and death worldwide, making it crucial to understand the condition and recognize its warning signs.

Types of stroke

There are three main types of stroke:

  • 1

    Ischemic stroke: This is the most common type of stroke, accounting for about 87% of all cases. It occurs when a blood clot or other obstruction blocks blood flow to the brain.

  • 2

    Hemorrhagic stroke: This type occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, leading to bleeding in or around the brain. Common causes include high blood pressure and aneurysms.

  • 3
    Transient ischemic attack (TIA): Often called a “mini-stroke,” a TIA is a temporary period of symptoms similar to a stroke. It doesn’t cause permanent damage but serves as a warning sign for future strokes.

Symptoms of stroke

Recognizing the symptoms of a stroke quickly can save lives. Use the acronym BE FAST to identify the warning signs:

B

Balance

Sudden loss of balance or coordination.
E

Eyes

Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
F

Face

Ask the person to smile. Is one side of the face drooping or numb?
A

Arms

Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward or is it weak?
S

Speech

Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Is their speech slurred or hard to understand?
T

Time to Call 911

If any of these symptoms are present, call emergency services immediately.

Other symptoms may include sudden confusion, vision problems, severe headache, or difficulty walking.

Hi, I’m Dr. Abby Young. I’m an Emergency Physician and the Stroke Adviser at Tahoe Forest Emergency Department, and today we’re going to talk about stroke.

Stroke is an important topic as it is the fifth leading cause of death and disability in the United States and the third leading cause of death for women. Stroke can occur at any age, but we typically do tend to see it in the later decades of life.

There are two different types of stroke. The first type of stroke is ischemic stroke. Ischemic stroke occurs when there’s a blockage of blood flow to the brain. The blockage of blood flow leads to brain and cell death.

The second type of stroke is called hemorrhagic stroke. This type of stroke occurs when there is a leaking blood vessel in the brain and blood leaks into the brain. Both types of stroke can cause permanent disability and death, so it is important to identify and treat stroke as quickly as possible.

Because early identification of stroke signs and symptoms is so important, we recommend that everyone be aware and use the B.E. F.A.S.T. mnemonic so that you can recognize signs of stroke in yourself, in family, or in other people around you and get help as quickly as possible.

B – Balance or dizziness. If you have any signs of imbalance or acute dizziness, this can be a sign of stroke.
E – Eyes. If you have any loss of vision or change in vision, this can also be a sign of stroke.
F – Face. If you have a facial droop or facial weakness, this can also be a sign of stroke.
A – Arm. Arm or leg weakness or numbness can be a sign of stroke.
S – Speech. If you have garbled speech, slurred speech, or word-finding difficulties, this can also be a sign of stroke.
T – Time, because every minute that we delay in getting stroke care leads to millions of brain cells dying.

We want you to call 911 as soon as possible or present to the closest emergency department.

In ischemic stroke, there are two different types of treatment. The first is a medication called a thrombolytic. The thrombolytic is a medication that can be given in the emergency department and breaks up the clot or the blockage that’s causing the lack of blood flow to the brain.

The second type of treatment for thrombolytic stroke is called a thrombectomy. This is a mechanical procedure where a physician threads a catheter through your vessels and is able to mechanically break up the blockage and restore the blood flow to your brain.

The treatment for hemorrhagic stroke is important to identify the stroke as early as possible so that we can control blood pressure and reverse any medications that may be causing your blood to be too thin. In addition, there are neurosurgical procedures that can be performed to stop the leaking blood vessels in the brain.

For all treatments of stroke, it is very important to rapidly identify the symptoms of stroke and what type of stroke it is so we can get treatment as soon as possible.

I’m Dr. Abby Young, Tahoe Forest Emergency Physician and Stroke Adviser. Thanks for joining me.

Causes & risk factors

Several factors can increase the risk of stroke, including:

  • 1

    Medical conditions: High blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and high cholesterol.

  • 2
    Lifestyle choices: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, and lack of physical activity.
  • 3
    Age and gender: While strokes can happen at any age, the risk increases with age. Men are slightly more likely to have strokes, but women tend to have worse outcomes.
  • 4

    Family history: A family history of stroke can raise your risk.

Prevention

Preventing a stroke often involves managing risk factors and making healthy lifestyle choices. Here are some steps you can take:

  • Maintain a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
  • Exercise regularly to improve cardiovascular health.
  • Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption.
  • Manage chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol through regular check-ups and medications as prescribed.

Treatment and recovery

The treatment for stroke depends on its type and severity, but may involved medication or surgery.

Recovery from a stroke can be a long process that includes rehabilitation therapies such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Support from medical professionals, family, and caregivers plays a crucial role in helping stroke survivors regain independence.

Resources

Find a support group to help prevent stoke or cope with challenges as a caregiver.

Meet our team

Dr. Abby Young

Dr. Abby Young

Stroke Operations Director

Dr. Abby Young, a DO specializing in emergency medicine, has been a dedicated member of the Tahoe Forest Hospital team since 2015. Driven by a deep commitment to her community, she has been instrumental in building the Tahoe Forest Stroke Program. Dr. Young’s passion lies in empowering Tahoe residents to maintain their active and healthy lifestyles. She focuses on establishing preventative care, ensuring rapid access to optimal emergency stroke care and improving access to post-stroke care and rehabilitation within the Tahoe Forest System.

Dr. Joshua Kreiss

Dr. Joshua Kreiss

Neurology Advisor

Dr. Joshua Kreiss is a neurologist with nearly 20 years of experience caring for stroke patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings. He received specialized training in stroke care during his neurology residency at Brown University. Dr. Kreiss served as Stroke Director at St. Mary’s Medical Center for five years, then held the same role at Tahoe Forest for three years before transitioning to his current position as Stroke Program Neurology Advisor. He remains committed to supporting high-quality, evidence-based stroke care in our community.

Julie Morgan

Stroke Coordinator

Liz Cook

Stroke Champion IVCH
2025 Get with the Guidelines Rural Stroke Award designation seal

Awards & recognition

The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Rural Recognition Gold award recognizes efforts to address the unique health needs of rural communities

Learn more

For more information visit the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association