State of Connecticut Stroke Information

The State of Connecticut Stroke Information webpage is a resource to provide information about strokes and stroke data for the state.  This webpage defines the types of strokes, as well as treatments, signs, and symptoms, and prevention.  As the stroke registry is developed and implemented, this webpage will contain data and statistics from stroke-certified hospitals used to inform and drive quality improvement in the acute stroke setting.  The Connecticut Department of Public Health makes this information available to its partners and the public to provide the latest State data, information on strokes, trends in stroke care, and outcomes.

What is the Connecticut Stroke Registry? 

The registry is an observational database managed by the American Heart Association focusing on the clinical information and outcomes of stroke patients.  Registry data is populated by Connecticut stroke-certified hospitals and includes data from real-world experiences of stroke care.  The registry plays an important role in the cycle of quality improvement as well as providing the public meaningful data and facts related to stroke care.

What is a stroke?

The brain needs a constant supply of blood, which carries the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function. Blood is supplied to the brain through blood vessels called arteries.  A stroke occurs when one of these arteries is either blocked or ruptures.  As a result, part of the brain does not get the blood it needs, and it begins to die.

What are the types of strokes?;

Ischemic Stroke, which is most common, is caused when a vessel supplying blood to the brain becomes narrowed or blocked. This causes reduced blood flow, also called ischemia.

These blockages can occur from a clot at the site of fatty plaque within a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain.  This is called a thrombotic stroke. The blockage may also occur from a clot which forms in the heart or large arteries of the upper chest or neck, or at another location in the circulatory system. A part of the blood clot breaks loose, enters the bloodstream and travels through the brain’s blood vessels until it reaches vessels too small to let it pass. This is called an embolic stroke.

Hemorrhagic Stroke occurs when a weakened blood vessel leaks or ruptures into the surrounding brain. Bleeding inside the brain is known as a brain hemorrhage. As the blood accumulates, it compresses the brain tissue.

Hemorrhagic strokes may be further divided into two groups – Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ICH) and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH). Intracerebral hemorrhage is bleeding within the brain, and subarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding between the inner and outer layers of the tissue covering the brain.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) is a transient or temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain. Typically, the clot dislodges or dissolves on its own and the symptoms typically last minutes but may be present up to 24 hours.  A TIA does not cause permanent damage. 

What are the most common symptoms of a stroke?

• Trouble speaking and understanding what others are saying. A person having a stroke may be confused, slur words or may not be able to understand speech.
• Numbness, weakness or paralysis in the face, arm, or leg. This often affects just one side of the body. The person can try to raise both arms over head, and if one arm begins to fall, it may be a sign of a stroke. Also, one side of the mouth may droop when trying to smile.
• Problems seeing in one or both eyes.  The person may suddenly have blurred or blackened vision in one or both eyes or may see double.
• Headache. A sudden, severe headache may be a symptom of a stroke. Vomiting, dizziness, and a change in consciousness may occur with the headache.
• Trouble walking. Someone having a stroke may stumble or lose balance or coordination.

A good way to remember these symptoms is with the acronym B.E.F.A.S.T.

B - Balance: Watch for sudden loss of balance
E - Eyes: Check for vision loss
F - Face: Look for an uneven smile
A - Arm: Check if one arm is weak
S - Speech: Listen for slurred speech
T - Time: Call 9-1-1 right away

What do I do if I think I am having a stroke?

Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.  Don't wait to see if the symptoms stop.  Emergency medical services (EMS) can assess your condition, communicate this information to the receiving hospital, allowing staff to prepare for your arrival and begin treatment immediately.  Every minute counts, and the longer a stroke goes untreated, the greater the potential for brain damage and disability.  If you're with someone you suspect is having a stroke, watch the person carefully, take note of the time the symptoms started and/or when the person was last in their baseline level of health, and wait for emergency assistance.

What stroke treatments are available? 

One of the most impactful treatments for ischemic stroke is thrombolytic therapy.  Thrombolytic therapy is a medical treatment that uses medications to dissolve blood clots and restore blood flow to the brain.  Typically, the medication is given through an IV, however, it may also be administered directly into the blocked artery.  Thrombolytic therapy can only be given within 4.5 hours from when a patient is last at their baseline health, so getting to the hospital quickly is necessary. This medication may not be given in all circumstances, and a doctor will determine if it’s appropriate for you. 

Another effective treatment for ischemic stroke is mechanical thrombectomy. If the blocked artery in your brain is a large vessel, a thrombectomy procedure can be performed to remove the clot. An incision is made in the groin and a small tube called a catheter maneuvers a device to the area of the blockage. Once the clot is reached, the device removes it by either grabbing or suctioning.

A mechanical thrombectomy is usually performed within 6 hours from when a patient is at their baseline level of health, however, it can be performed up to 24 hours. As in all stroke procedures, the sooner treatment is received, the better the likelihood of a good outcome.

What can I do to prevent a stroke?

There are many things you can do to prevent a first or reoccurring stroke.  Check out the American Heart Association’s list of controllable risk factors, risk factors you can’t control, and other factors which may increase your stroke risk.

Stroke data and reports

Stroke-Related Hospital and Emergency Department Discharges, Connecticut: This report provides statistics on stroke-related Emergency Department (ED) and inpatient hospital discharges among Connecticut residents for the years 2016 to 2022.

Last updated on March 5, 2025