New London ― Lawrence + Memorial Hospital has been recognized by the American Heart Association for the quality of its stroke care.

The hospital received the association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment in accordance with nationally recognized, research-based guidelines.

L+M also was awarded the association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award, which aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.

Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die.

Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times.