Stronger After Stroke

Episode 46   'They Sent Me Home' — Why Stroke Symptoms in Pregnant Women Are So Often Missed | Stronger After Stroke Pregnancy and the postpartum period are often viewed as times of joy and recovery, but they can also be periods of increased risk for serious neurological complications. In this episode of "Stronger After Stroke," Rosa Hart, BSN, R.N., SCRN, host and stroke nurse navigator, Norton Neuroscience Institute, sits down with Eliza C. Miller, M.D., M.S., one of the nation's leading physicians in women's cerebrovascular health, to discuss the often overlooked reality of stroke during pregnancy and the postpartum period. More than one in four pregnant and postpartum women who experience a stroke had already sought medical attention for their symptoms before the stroke was recognized. Symptoms such as severe headache, confusion or neck pain are often mistaken for common pregnancy-related discomforts, creating dangerous delays in diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Miller shares her expertise on why these diagnostic gaps persist and what patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals need to know to improve outcomes. As neurologist and chief of women's neurology at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, Dr. Miller leads one of only two dedicated divisions of women's neurology in the United States and directs a nationally recognized maternal stroke program. Her work focuses on advancing research, education and awareness around women's brain health and maternal stroke. In this episode, you'll hear about: ·      Why pregnancy and the postpartum period significantly increase stroke risk and the physiological changes behind that risk ·      Stroke symptoms beyond BE-FAST that pregnant and postpartum women should never ignore, including severe headache, neck pain and confusion ·      Why more than 25% of maternal stroke patients had already been evaluated by a healthcare provider before receiving the correct diagnosis ·      The knowledge gaps that exist across obstetrics, emergency medicine and neurology when caring for women with neurological symptoms ·      What an appropriate clinical response should look like when a pregnant or postpartum woman presents with possible stroke symptoms ·      The research still needed to better understand maternal stroke and how a national patient registry could improve care ·      An important message for stroke survivors who felt their symptoms were dismissed during pregnancy or after childbirth One of the most persistent challenges in maternal stroke care is that warning signs often do not fit the traditional picture of stroke, causing both patients and providers to underestimate their significance. Dr. Miller's message is clear: awareness, education and timely evaluation save lives. When neurological symptoms occur during pregnancy or the postpartum period, they deserve serious attention. Whether you are a stroke survivor, an expectant or new parent, a caregiver or a healthcare professional, this episode provides valuable insight into one of the most important and underrecognized areas of stroke care today. Want more inspiring stories and real-life resources? Subscribe and share "Stronger After Stroke" with someone who needs a little extra support navigating life after stroke. For more support after stroke, check out the programs available both virtually and in person through Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Centers: https://nortonhealthcare.com/services-and-conditions/neurosciences/patient-resources/resource-center/ If you enjoyed this podcast, listen to Norton Healthcare's "MedChat" podcast, available in your favorite podcast app. "MedChat" provides continuing medical education on the go and is targeted toward physicians and clinicians. Norton Healthcare, a not-for-profit healthcare system, is a leader in serving adult and pediatric patients throughout Greater Louisville, Southern Indiana, the commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond. A strong research program provides access to clinical trials in a multitude of areas. More information about Norton Healthcare is available at NortonHealthcare.com   Date of original release: Sept.14, 2026

Episode 45   Spinal Cord Stroke | Stronger After Stroke In this episode of "Stronger After Stroke," Rosa Hart, BSN, R.N., SCRN, stroke nurse navigator for Norton Neuroscience Institute, sits down with Maggie Rasche, whose life changed in an instant at age 17 when a rare spinal cord stroke left her paralyzed during a typical school day. Maggie shares her remarkable story of survival, resilience and recovery. What began as mild tingling quickly became a medical emergency that led to 29 days in the intensive care unit (ICU), two life-threatening events and months of intensive rehabilitation. Today, Maggie is living independently in college, driving, traveling and pursuing her dream of becoming a civil engineer. This episode is a powerful reminder that stroke can happen at any age, that recovery is possible and that determination can overcome extraordinary challenges. In this episode: ·      A rare spinal cord stroke in a healthy teenager ·      The warning signs that appeared that morning ·      Why fast action and emergency treatment mattered ·      Spending 29 days in the ICU and surviving two codes ·      Relearning how to breathe, speak, eat, sit up and walk ·      The emotional moment Maggie spoke for the first time after receiving a tracheostomy ·      How determination fueled her recovery journey ·      Returning to school and finishing exams from her hospital bed ·      Life after rehabilitation and thriving in college ·      Hope and encouragement for stroke survivors and caregivers   Key takeaways: ·      Strokes can occur in young, healthy individuals. ·      Early recognition and emergency treatment can save lives. ·      Neuroplasticity allows the brain and nervous system to continue adapting during recovery. ·      Recovery timelines are unique, and progress can continue long after the initial injury. ·      Family support, advocacy and perseverance play a critical role in healing. Who should listen: ·      Stroke survivors ·      Caregivers and family members ·      Healthcare professionals ·      Rehabilitation specialists ·      Students interested in medicine and neuroscience ·      Anyone looking for an inspiring story of overcoming adversity Want more inspiring stories and real-life resources? Subscribe and share "Stronger After Stroke" with someone who needs a little extra support navigating life after stroke. For more support after stroke, check out the programs available both virtually and in person through Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Centers: https://nortonhealthcare.com/services-and-conditions/neurosciences/patient-resources/resource-center/ If you enjoyed this podcast, listen to Norton Healthcare's "MedChat" podcast, available in your favorite podcast app. "MedChat" provides continuing medical education on the go and is targeted toward physicians and clinicians. Norton Healthcare, a not-for-profit healthcare system, is a leader in serving adult and pediatric patients throughout Greater Louisville, Southern Indiana, the commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond. A strong research program provides access to clinical trials in a multitude of areas. More information about Norton Healthcare is available at NortonHealthcare.com.   Date of original release: Aug. 10, 2026

Nutrition After Stroke: Eating Safely When Swallowing Is Hard | Stronger After Stroke After a stroke, something as simple as eating can suddenly feel overwhelming or even dangerous. If you or someone you love has been told they need a modified texture diet, you probably have more questions than answers. In this episode of "Stronger After Stroke," Rosa Hart, BSN, R.N., SCRN, stroke nurse navigator, Norton Neuroscience Institute, sits down with Bethany Farmer, RDN, LDN, M.Ed., registered dietitian and clinical nutritionist, to take the confusion out of eating safely at home after stroke. Bethany brings clinical expertise and practical real-world guidance to the table. She breaks down what a modified texture diet means, how the IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative) framework works, and why following the prescribed diet level is one of the most important things a stroke survivor can do to protect their recovery. In this episode, you'll hear about: ·      What modified texture diets are and why they matter after stroke ·      Common foods that seem safe but can be dangerous for people with swallowing difficulties ·      How to thicken liquids correctly and consistently at home ·      Practical tips for keeping meals nutritious, appealing and dignified ·      Signs that swallowing may be improving and when to ask for a reevaluation ·      How caregivers can support safe mealtimes without added stress One of the biggest fears involving dysphagia is that mealtimes will never feel normal again. Bethany's message is one of both caution and hope. With the right knowledge and the right team, eating can still be safe, satisfying and even enjoyable. Whether you are a stroke survivor navigating a new way of eating, a caregiver trying to keep your loved one safe at the table or a clinician looking for patient-friendly resources to share, this episode is packed with information you can use right away. Want more inspiring stories and real-life resources? Subscribe and share "Stronger After Stroke" with someone who needs a little extra support navigating life after stroke. For more support after stroke, check out the programs available virtually and in person through Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Centers: https://nortonhealthcare.com/services-and-conditions/neurosciences/patient-resources/resource-center/ If you enjoyed this podcast, listen to Norton Healthcare's "MedChat" podcast, available in your favorite podcast app. "MedChat" provides continuing medical education on the go and is targeted toward physicians and clinicians. Norton Healthcare, a not-for-profit healthcare system, is a leader in serving adult and pediatric patients throughout Greater Louisville, Southern Indiana, the commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond. A strong research program provides access to clinical trials in a multitude of areas. More information about Norton Healthcare is available at NortonHealthcare.com.   Date of original release: July 13, 2026

Episode 43: Swallowing Safely After Stroke: A Speech Therapist's Guide for Stroke Survivors and Caregivers | Stronger After Stroke Swallowing difficulties, known as dysphagia, affect nearly half of all stroke survivors, yet many families don't receive clear answers about what's happening or what to do next. In this episode, Rosa Hart, BSN, R.N., SCRN, stroke nurse navigator, sits down with Scarlett Staton, M.S., CCC-SLP, a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist, to pull back the curtain on one of stroke recovery's most overlooked challenges. Whether you're a survivor navigating a new diet, a caregiver managing mealtimes at home or a family member trying to advocate in the hospital, this conversation gives you the information you need. What you'll hear in this episode: ·      Why dysphagia happens after stroke and what's going on in the brain and body ·      The difference between silent aspiration and visible swallowing difficulty, and why silent aspiration is so dangerous ·      What thickened liquids and modified food textures really mean for daily life ·      How swallowing recovery progresses and what realistic timelines look like ·      How to advocate for a swallowing evaluation if one hasn't been offered ·      What caregivers need to know about safe mealtimes at home ·      The connection between dysphagia and speech recovery   Want more inspiring stories and real-life resources? Subscribe and share "Stronger After Stroke" with someone who needs a little extra support navigating life after stroke. For more support after stroke, check out the programs available virtually and in person through the Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Center: https://nortonhealthcare.com/services-and-conditions/neurosciences/patient-resources/resource-center/ If you enjoyed this podcast, listen to Norton Healthcare's "MedChat" podcast, available in your favorite podcast app. "MedChat" provides continuing medical education on the go and is targeted toward physicians and clinicians. Norton Healthcare, a not-for-profit healthcare system, is a leader in serving adult and pediatric patients throughout Greater Louisville, Southern Indiana, the commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond. A strong research program provides access to clinical trials in a multitude of areas. More information about Norton Healthcare is available at NortonHealthcare.com.   Date of original release: June 8, 2026

Episode 42:  30 years of stroke care: What survivors and caregivers need to know now | Stronger After Stroke Stroke care has been transformed over the past three decades, and those advances mean something real for survivors and caregivers navigating recovery right now. In this episode, host Rosa Hart, BSN, R.N., SCRN, sits down with three Norton Neuroscience Institute staff to break down what the 2024 American Heart Association/American Stroke Association updated stroke guidelines mean for you. In this episode: ·      What stroke program certification means for patients ·      The truth about thrombectomy and why calling 911 as soon as possible changes everything ·      What neuroplasticity means for recovery, even years after stroke ·      Therapies backed by strong evidence that many survivors never hear about ·      Why caregivers are now formally part of the standard of care ·      What to do when you live far from a major stroke center Meet the guests: Jessica Sumner, MSN, R.N., CNS, CEN, director of clinical effectiveness and stroke care for Norton Healthcare, leads stroke program certification and statewide quality improvement efforts across Kentucky and Indiana. Jeanette Lanoire, P.T., DPT, NCS, is a physical therapist and board-certified neurologic clinical specialist. She has deep expertise in stroke rehabilitation, movement disorders and community-based neurological wellness. Dimitri Laurent, M.D., is a neurosurgeon and spine surgeon known for making complex surgical information clear and approachable for patients and families. This conversation is not for clinicians. It is for survivors, caregivers and anyone who wants to understand what great stroke care looks like and how to ask for it.   Subscribe to "Stronger After Stroke" for more episodes at the intersection of clinical excellence and real recovery. Want more inspiring stories and real-life resources? Subscribe and share "Stronger After Stroke" with someone who needs a little extra support navigating their recovery. For more support after stroke, check out the programs available virtually and in person through Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Centers: https://nortonhealthcare.com/services-and-conditions/neurosciences/patient-resources/resource-center/ If you enjoyed this podcast, listen to Norton Healthcare's "MedChat" podcast, available in your favorite podcast app. "MedChat" provides continuing medical education on the go and is targeted toward physicians and clinicians. Norton Healthcare, a not-for-profit health care system, is a leader in serving adult and pediatric patients throughout Greater Louisville, Southern Indiana, the commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond. A strong research program provides access to clinical trials in a multitude of areas. More information about Norton Healthcare is available at NortonHealthcare.com. Date of original release: May 11, 2026