Primary Stroke Center

The Joint Commission has certified Bridgeport Hospital as a Primary Stroke Center.


Bridgeport Hospital has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® (GWTG)–Stroke Silver Plus Quality Achievement Award for providing stroke patients with treatment that meets nationally accepted standards of care.

Since its inception in 2007, Bridgeport Hospital initiaited a Stroke Alert process which has enabled our hospital to evaluate and treat patients who have suffered a stroke expeditiously in order to reduce brain injury. A primary task of the evaluation is to determine if a stroke patient is eligible to receive tPA, a medication that dissolves blood clots in the vascular system of the brain. Early dissolution of a stroke—causing blood clot, has been shown to improve neurologic recovery.

Stroke Symptoms

A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted. A stroke is sometimes called a “brain attack” because of its similarities to a “heart attack.” Both conditions may have similar causes and risk factors. A stroke is an emergency. Within a few minutes, brain cells in the brain begin to die. The result of a stroke is that that part of the brain can't send its messages to the body. Functions that can be affected: physical movement of the body (arms, legs), speech, and memory, depending on what part of the brain is affected. 


If you or anyone you know experiences any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately! The faster you get help, the less brain damage may occur and the more complete the recovery may be.

  • weakness, numbness, or paralysis in the face, arm, or leg—especially on one side of the body
  • sudden blurred vision or loss of vision in one or both eyes
  • inability to speak clearly or understand simple statements
  • loss of balance or coordination, especially when combined with another of these symptoms
  • sudden severe headache—"the worst headache of my life"

Related Links