A stroke is the death of brain tissue that occurs when an artery carrying blood and oxygen to the brain is blocked or bursts. You may be surprised to discover strokes are the number 3 causes of death in Wayne County. Also, the devastating effects of a stroke are the leading cause of severe, long term disability within our community.

The Stroke Center at Wooster Community Hospital - The first certified primary stroke center in the Wayne count y region.

Peripheral arterial disease reduces blood flow to the degree that symptoms such as severe leg pain may occur. Fatty deposits form inside blood vessel walls causing the walls to become thick and less elastic. The thickened areas are called plaque. When the plaque grows large enough or breaks apart, it can block the flow of blood through the arteries. Tissues receiving blood from these arteries then begin to suffer damage from a lack of oxygen.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm is the term for enlargement and weakening of the main blood vessel in the abdomen. If the aneurysm should burst, large amounts of blood can be lost quickly causing death. Aneurysms can develop silently without symptoms.

A high level of blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for developing vascular disease and heart disease. Too much cholesterol results in plaque build-up causing narrowed blood flow and blockages.