Stroke Explained for Grand Rapids, Michigan

Stroke is a medical emergency and a leading cause of disability in Michigan. Understanding the signs, causes, and treatment options can save lives here in Grand Rapids and across West Michigan.

In Grand Rapids, stroke care is available 24/7 at major hospitals including Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health facilities. If you think you or someone nearby is having a stroke, call 911 immediately.

What Is a Stroke?

Your brain needs a constant supply of blood to deliver oxygen and nutrients. When blood flow is interrupted, brain cells begin to die within minutes. This is called a stroke.

There are two main types of stroke:

  • Ischemic stroke
    • Caused by a blocked artery in the brain
    • This is the most common type of stroke in Grand Rapids and the U.S.
  • Hemorrhagic stroke
    • Caused by a burst (ruptured) blood vessel in the brain
    • Leads to bleeding in or around the brain

Both types of stroke are life-threatening and require immediate emergency care.

Stroke in Grand Rapids and West Michigan

Living in Grand Rapids, certain local factors can affect stroke risk and recovery:

  • Cold winters and icy conditions can increase blood pressure and limit physical activity.
  • Heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes are common in Michigan and are major stroke risk factors.
  • Access to care is generally good in the metro area, with stroke services at:
    • Spectrum Health / Corewell Health hospitals
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health facilities

For prevention and community programs, residents can also contact the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health resources.

The F.A.S.T. Test: Know the Signs of Stroke

Use the F.A.S.T. test to remember the most common warning signs of stroke. In Grand Rapids, EMS and hospital stroke teams rely on this same tool.

F – Face

  • Ask the person to smile.
  • Does one side of the face droop?

A – Arms

  • Ask them to raise both arms.
  • Does one arm drift downward or feel weak or numb?

S – Speech

  • Ask them to repeat a simple sentence.
  • Is their speech slurred, confused, or hard to understand?

T – Time

  • Time to call 911 immediately.
  • Note the time symptoms started. This helps emergency teams decide on the best treatment.

If you see any of these signs, call 911 right away, even if the symptoms:

  • Seem mild
  • Come and go
  • Last only a few minutes and then improve

Do not drive yourself; let EMS bring you to the nearest stroke-ready hospital in Grand Rapids.

Other Warning Signs of Stroke

While F.A.S.T. covers the most common signs, there can be other symptoms:

  • Sudden numbness, weakness, clumsiness, or paralysis of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body)
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Sudden dizziness, loss of balance, or trouble walking
  • Sudden severe headache with no known cause, often described as “the worst headache of my life”
  • Sudden trouble swallowing
  • Sudden confusion, trouble understanding what others say
  • Sudden nausea and vomiting, especially with other stroke symptoms

If any of these occur, call 911 immediately and ask to be taken to the nearest hospital with stroke services in Grand Rapids.

Stroke Risk Factors

A stroke risk factor is anything that increases your chance of having a stroke. Some risk factors are medical, some are lifestyle-related, and some are specific to women.

Medical Conditions That Increase Stroke Risk

  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • High cholesterol
  • Atrial fibrillation (AFib) or other abnormal heart rhythms
  • Heart disease or a history of heart attack
  • Diabetes
  • Weak or tangled arteries in the brain (aneurysms, AVMs)
  • A hole in the heart (such as a patent foramen ovale, PFO)
  • Certain blood clotting disorders

Lifestyle Factors

Common lifestyle-related risks in Michigan and the Grand Rapids area include:

  • Not being physically active
  • Unhealthy eating patterns (high in salt, sugar, and saturated fats)
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Drinking alcohol heavily
  • Smoking or vaping nicotine

Cold winters and shorter daylight hours in West Michigan can make it harder to stay active, which may increase stroke risk if not managed.

Stroke Risk Factors in Women

Women may have additional stroke risks related to:

  • Pregnancy
  • Taking the contraceptive pill
  • Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
  • Certain migraine with aura patterns
  • Smoking while on hormonal birth control

Talk with a Grand Rapids healthcare provider about how these factors affect your personal risk.

What Happens at the Hospital After a Suspected Stroke

After a suspected stroke, everyone should have a brain scan as soon as possible. In Grand Rapids hospitals, stroke teams move quickly to diagnose and treat stroke.

Common Tests

Tests vary from person to person, but may include:

  • Brain imaging
    • CT scan (computerized tomography)
      • Fast test that shows bleeding or major damage
    • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
      • More detailed images of brain tissue
  • CT angiogram or MR angiogram
    • Shows how blood flows through the brain’s arteries
    • Helps identify blockages or weak blood vessels
  • Ultrasound of the neck arteries (carotid ultrasound)
    • Looks for narrowing or blockages in arteries that supply the brain
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG)
    • Checks for abnormal heart rhythms like atrial fibrillation
  • Holter monitor
    • A portable heart monitor worn for 24 hours or longer to detect rhythm problems
  • Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
    • Looks for heart problems or clots that could travel to the brain
  • Blood tests
    • Check cholesterol, blood sugar, clotting, and other important levels
  • Blood pressure checks
    • Done repeatedly, since high blood pressure is a major cause of stroke

Your doctor will review all test results with you and your family and create a treatment and prevention plan.

Stroke Treatments

Treatment depends on whether the stroke is ischemic (blocked artery) or hemorrhagic (bleeding) and how quickly you arrive at the hospital.

Treatment for Ischemic Stroke (Blocked Artery)

  • Thrombolysis (clot-busting medication)
    • Medicine given through a vein (IV) to dissolve the clot
    • Must be given within a limited time window from when symptoms started
  • Thrombectomy or Endovascular Clot Retrieval (ECR)
    • A minimally invasive procedure where a specialist threads a catheter into the blocked artery and removes the clot
    • Usually done at larger stroke centers such as Spectrum Health / Corewell Health or other regional stroke hubs

You may also receive:

  • Blood-thinning medications to prevent new clots
  • Blood pressure and cholesterol medications to reduce future risk

Treatment for Hemorrhagic Stroke (Bleeding in the Brain)

For hemorrhagic strokes, doctors may:

  • Give medications to slow or stop the bleeding
  • Carefully control blood pressure
  • Perform surgery to:
    • Remove pooled blood
    • Relieve pressure inside the skull
    • Repair a damaged or abnormal blood vessel

You may also need treatment for the underlying cause, such as very high blood pressure or a weak blood vessel.

How Stroke Affects the Brain and Body

Stroke affects everyone differently. The changes you experience depend on:

  • Which part of your brain was injured
  • How large the stroke was
  • How quickly you received treatment

Movement and Muscle Changes

After a stroke, you may notice:

  • Weakness or paralysis in your arms, legs, or hands
  • Difficulty with:
    • Sitting or standing safely
    • Keeping your balance
    • Walking or moving around
  • Weak and floppy muscles
  • Stiff and tight muscles (spasticity)

Stiff and tight muscles can cause pain and make movement harder. You may also feel pain because of changes in the brain, even when there is no new injury.

Speech, Language, and Swallowing

  • Trouble speaking or understanding others
  • Difficulty reading and writing
    • This can be part of a condition called aphasia
  • Slurred speech if the muscles used for talking are weak or uncoordinated
  • Trouble swallowing (dysphagia)
    • Food or drinks may “go down the wrong way”
    • They can enter the lungs instead of the stomach and cause serious infections

Speech-language pathologists in Grand Rapids hospitals and rehab centers can help with these issues.

Thinking, Memory, and Behavior

You may find it hard to:

  • Remember things that just happened
  • Concentrate or pay attention
  • Plan, organize, or figure out how to do tasks
  • Think of the right word or you might use the wrong word
  • Understand what someone is saying

Personality and behavior can also change. You may:

  • Not feel like doing things you used to enjoy
  • Get annoyed or frustrated easily
  • Do things without thinking them through

Vision, Touch, Taste, and Smell

Stroke can change how you experience the world:

  • Vision changes
    • Blind spots
    • Double vision
    • Blurry vision
    • Eyes that move constantly or don’t track well
  • Touch and body awareness
    • Numbness or “pins and needles”
    • Not knowing where parts of your body are
    • Ignoring people or objects on one side of your body (neglect)
  • Sensitivity changes
    • Feeling touch, hot, or cold differently
    • Feeling overwhelmed in busy, noisy places
  • Taste and smell changes
    • Foods may taste or smell different than before

Bladder, Bowel, and Sexual Health

Movement changes and brain changes can affect:

  • Getting to the toilet in time
  • Knowing when you need to go
  • Sexual function and desire

These are common and treatable issues after stroke. Talk openly with your healthcare provider; they can refer you to specialists in Grand Rapids who can help.

Fatigue After Stroke

Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms after stroke. It is more than just feeling tired.

You may:

  • Feel worn out even after small tasks
  • Have low energy throughout the day
  • Need more rest and sleep than before

Fatigue can make it harder to participate in rehabilitation, but pacing yourself and planning rest breaks can help.

Emotional Changes, Depression, and Anxiety

It’s normal to have strong emotions after a stroke. You may feel:

  • Worried or scared
  • Sad or frustrated
  • Embarrassed about changes
  • Grateful or hopeful

Emotional Lability

Some people experience emotional lability, where emotional reactions don’t seem to match the situation. You may:

  • Laugh at something sad
  • Laugh or cry uncontrollably and find it hard to stop

Depression

Depression is a medical condition, not a personal weakness. You may have depression if you:

  • Feel sad or down for more than two weeks
  • Lose interest in activities you used to enjoy
  • Have no energy
  • Find it hard to concentrate
  • Can’t sleep or sleep much more than usual

Anxiety

You may have anxiety if you:

  • Feel nervous or on edge a lot of the time
  • Find it hard to calm down
  • Feel restless or fidgety
  • Worry constantly about having another stroke

Never ignore the signs of depression or anxiety. These conditions are common after stroke and treatable. Most people get better with:

  • Counseling or therapy
  • Medication
  • Support from family, friends, and stroke support groups

Talk with your doctor in Grand Rapids and let your family and friends know how you are feeling.

Stroke Rehabilitation in Grand Rapids

Rehabilitation is where you work on changes that happened because of your stroke. In West Michigan, stroke rehab services are available through:

  • Spectrum Health / Corewell Health rehabilitation programs
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids rehab services
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health rehab
  • Independent physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy clinics in the Grand Rapids area

Types of Rehabilitation Services

Your rehab plan depends on:

  • The type and severity of your stroke
  • Which abilities were affected
  • What is available near where you live

Rehabilitation may include:

  • Physical therapy (PT) – to improve strength, balance, and walking
  • Occupational therapy (OT) – to help with daily tasks like dressing, cooking, and driving
  • Speech-language therapy – for speech, language, thinking, and swallowing
  • Neuropsychology or counseling – for memory, thinking skills, and emotional health

How Rehabilitation Helps the Brain

Your brain has the ability to reorganize and adapt—this is called neuroplasticity. If one part of the brain is injured, another part can sometimes learn to take over its job.

To make this happen, you will need to:

  • Practice exercises regularly
  • Repeat tasks over and over
  • Stay as active and engaged in therapy as you can

Your rehabilitation team will help you:

  • Relearn skills
  • Find new ways to do tasks
  • Use equipment or strategies to stay safe and independent

Medications After Stroke

Most people need to take medication for the rest of their life after a stroke to reduce the risk of another one.

Common medications include:

  • Blood-thinning medications
    • To prevent clots from forming
  • Blood pressure–lowering medications
    • To control high blood pressure
  • Cholesterol-lowering medications (statins)
    • To reduce plaque buildup in arteries
  • Medications to control:
    • Diabetes
    • Heart rhythm problems (such as AFib)
    • Pain, mood, or sleep issues

Important Medication Safety Tips

  • Always talk with your doctor before:
    • Changing how much you take
    • Stopping a medication
    • Starting new over-the-counter medicines or supplements

Stopping or changing medicines without medical advice can increase your risk of another stroke.

Lowering Your Risk of Another Stroke

After a stroke, your Grand Rapids healthcare team will:

  • Review your personal risk factors
  • Explain what you can do to lower your risk
  • Prescribe medications as needed

They may recommend:

  • Being more physically active
    • Indoor options are especially helpful during West Michigan winters, such as walking at malls, using community centers, or home exercise programs.
  • Eating well
    • More fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats
    • Less salt, sugar, and processed foods
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Avoiding or limiting alcohol
  • Stopping smoking
    • There are local smoking cessation programs in Grand Rapids and resources through the Kent County Health Department.

Following this plan can significantly reduce your chance of another stroke.

Local Resources for Stroke Care in Grand Rapids, MI

If you or a loved one has had a stroke in Grand Rapids, consider these resources:

  • Primary care provider (GP/doctor) – first point of contact for ongoing care and prevention
  • Local hospitals with stroke services:
    • Spectrum Health / Corewell Health hospitals
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health facilities
  • Kent County Health Department & Grand Rapids Public Health – information on heart health, blood pressure screening, diabetes programs, smoking cessation, and nutrition
  • Local rehabilitation and therapy clinics – for physical, occupational, and speech therapy
  • Support groups – many Grand Rapids hospitals and community organizations host stroke survivor and caregiver support groups

Ask your care team for up-to-date contact information and recommendations.

Key Points to Remember

  • A stroke happens when blood can’t reach part of your brain.
  • Use the F.A.S.T. test to remember the most common signs of stroke:
    • Face drooping
    • Arms weakness
    • Speech difficulty
    • Time to call 911
  • If you suddenly experience any stroke symptoms, get to a hospital immediately—call 911.
  • Stroke risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and inactivity are common but manageable.
  • After a stroke, your doctor will help you lower your risk of another stroke with lifestyle changes, rehabilitation, and medications.
  • Never ignore new or recurring stroke symptoms. Even if they go away, call 911.

In Grand Rapids, fast access to emergency stroke care, rehabilitation services, and local public health resources can make a major difference in survival and recovery.