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Stroke Center

Name: Kootenai Health
Price range: $

Call 911 |

When every second counts, we're ready.

A stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked by a clot or disrupted by bleeding. Because brain cells can be damaged quickly, fast recognition and emergency care are critical — and the sooner stroke care begins, the more treatment options may be available.

Kootenai Health treats hundreds of stroke patients each year, maintains 24-hour neurology coverage, and has earned Level II Stroke Center designation through Idaho's Time Sensitive Emergency system—meaning protocols, team, and response times have been verified against the state's most rigorous standards. That readiness extends beyond these walls. Our team works closely with regional emergency response agencies so stroke protocols are in motion from the moment someone calls 911.

If you or someone near you is showing stroke symptoms, call 911 immediately. Don't wait.

Level II Stroke Center

Rapid stroke diagnosis and treatment

As the region's only Level II Stroke Center, Kootenai Health provides coordinated stroke care and undergoes state review every three years to ensure continued excellence.

24-hour Neurology Coverage

Around the clock, every day

Stroke doesn't follow a schedule—and every second counts to preserve brain function. When symptoms appear, we’re ready to start treatment immediately.

Tenecteplase

Advanced clot-busting treatment, available here

When stroke symptoms appear, our team can administer tenecteplase—a medication that dissolves clots quickly. The sooner it’s given, the better it works.

Rapid Assessment — How to Spot a Stroke

Our team uses the BE-FAST method to recognize stroke symptoms quickly. You can too.

B — Balance: Sudden trouble with balance or coordination
E — Eyes: Sudden blurred vision, double vision, or loss of vision
F — Face: One side of face “droops” or feels numb

A — Arms: Weakness or numbness in one arm
S — Speech: Slurred speed or inability to speak
T — Time: Time to call 911

Don't Wait. Call 911.

If you notice any of these symptoms, even if they go away, seek emergency medical care immediately.

Risk Factors and Stroke Prevention

Factors You Can Manage

Risk factors may increase your chance of having a stroke. Some risk factors can be changed or treated so that you can lower your risk of a stroke such as:

High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Irregular heartbeat, such as atrial fibrillation
Heart Disease
Narrowing of the arteries
Obstructive sleep apnea
Smoking or using smokeless tobacco
Alcohol use
Substance use
Physical inactivity
Overweight and obesity
Stress
Use of hormonal contraceptives, especially for people with other risk factors

Factors to be Aware of

Although you cannot change some risk factors, such as:

Age
Family history
Race
Gender

It is important to be aware of them and make lifestyle choices that reduce your risk of having a stroke.

Community Outreach

Kootenai Health regularly performs outreach activities to educate our community about risk factors and prevention measures related to stroke, as well as the BE-FAST methodology.