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Karen Hoerst, MD

Specialty in Vascular (Stroke) Neurology

Dr. Hoerst is a board-certified Neurologist. She received her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience from the University of Scranton in 2005 and Jefferson Medical College (now Sidney Kimmel Medical College) in 2009. She completed an internal medicine internship, neurology residency and vascular neurology fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia (2014). After completing her training, Dr. Hoerst joined Reading Hospital in West Reading, Pennsylvania where she acted as the Stroke Program Medical Director in addition to providing emergency, inpatient, and outpatient care. In 2019, she transitioned to the role of teleneurologist at SOCTelemed, providing emergency and inpatient care via teleneurology to patients with neurological disease across the country.

She also serves as a physician clinical reviewer for Magellan Health. Dr. Hoerst joined Buoy Health in 2021. She believes that providing accessible, accurate medical knowledge allows people to make informed and empowered decisions about their health.

Education and training

2013-2014 - Vascular Neurology Fellowship, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA

2010-2013 - Neurology Residency, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA

2009-2010 - Internal Medicine Preliminary Internship, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA

2005-2009 - MD, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA

2001-2005 - Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA

Certifications

Board Certified, Neurology - American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - 2013

Board Certified, Vascular Neurology - American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - 2014

Articles from Karen Hoerst, MD

Slide 1 of 10

Causes of Auditory Hallucinations

An auditory hallucination is when you hear a voice, music, or other noise that other people do not hear. It is usually caused by a psychiatric illness like schizophrenia or dementia.

Nerve damage can be caused by many types of injuries, ranging from a bruise to trauma from a car accident. While symptoms of mild nerve damage may go away on their own, severe cases need to be treated by your doctor or a surgeon.

Sensitivity to Light

Common issues such as dry eye and eye strain can make you sensitive to light. But it can also be a sign of serious conditions, such as brain inflammation and retinal attachment.

What Causes Slurred Speech?

Slurred speech can be caused by an issue in your brain and nervous system or from local facial nerves. It may be a sign of serious disease, like a stroke or multiple sclerosis, so it’s crucial to get medical care right away.

Hemifacial Spasm

If your face muscles are spasming, you may have injured a facial nerve. Hemifacial spasm is not dangerous but it can be distressing.

Can You Prevent a Stroke?

Many strokes can be prevented by lowering your risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, and diabetes.

Why Do I See Eye Flashes?

While occasional floaters or flashing lights are not uncommon, you should see an ophthalmologist who can examine you for underlying eye conditions. This is especially important for people with diabetes.

Amnesia is when you can’t form new memories or recall experiences or old memories. Amnesia usually happens suddenly and has a clear cause. Other types of memory loss, like dementia, often develop more gradually.

Why Your Skin Hurts to Touch and What to Do About It

Your skin can hurt from migraines, diabetes, and other pain conditions. Relief can come from creams, medications, good blood sugar control, and other pain treatments.

Abdominal Migraine

Abdominal migraines cause abdominal pain, headache, nausea, and vomiting—mostly in children. Lifestyle changes reduce symptoms.

Causes of Auditory Hallucinations

An auditory hallucination is when you hear a voice, music, or other noise that other people do not hear. It is usually caused by a psychiatric illness like schizophrenia or dementia.

Nerve damage can be caused by many types of injuries, ranging from a bruise to trauma from a car accident. While symptoms of mild nerve damage may go away on their own, severe cases need to be treated by your doctor or a surgeon.

Sensitivity to Light

Common issues such as dry eye and eye strain can make you sensitive to light. But it can also be a sign of serious conditions, such as brain inflammation and retinal attachment.

What Causes Slurred Speech?

Slurred speech can be caused by an issue in your brain and nervous system or from local facial nerves. It may be a sign of serious disease, like a stroke or multiple sclerosis, so it’s crucial to get medical care right away.

Hemifacial Spasm

If your face muscles are spasming, you may have injured a facial nerve. Hemifacial spasm is not dangerous but it can be distressing.

Can You Prevent a Stroke?

Many strokes can be prevented by lowering your risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, and diabetes.

Why Do I See Eye Flashes?

While occasional floaters or flashing lights are not uncommon, you should see an ophthalmologist who can examine you for underlying eye conditions. This is especially important for people with diabetes.

Amnesia is when you can’t form new memories or recall experiences or old memories. Amnesia usually happens suddenly and has a clear cause. Other types of memory loss, like dementia, often develop more gradually.

Why Your Skin Hurts to Touch and What to Do About It

Your skin can hurt from migraines, diabetes, and other pain conditions. Relief can come from creams, medications, good blood sugar control, and other pain treatments.

Abdominal Migraine

Abdominal migraines cause abdominal pain, headache, nausea, and vomiting—mostly in children. Lifestyle changes reduce symptoms.

Causes of Auditory Hallucinations

An auditory hallucination is when you hear a voice, music, or other noise that other people do not hear. It is usually caused by a psychiatric illness like schizophrenia or dementia.

Nerve damage can be caused by many types of injuries, ranging from a bruise to trauma from a car accident. While symptoms of mild nerve damage may go away on their own, severe cases need to be treated by your doctor or a surgeon.

Sensitivity to Light

Common issues such as dry eye and eye strain can make you sensitive to light. But it can also be a sign of serious conditions, such as brain inflammation and retinal attachment.

What Causes Slurred Speech?

Slurred speech can be caused by an issue in your brain and nervous system or from local facial nerves. It may be a sign of serious disease, like a stroke or multiple sclerosis, so it’s crucial to get medical care right away.

Hemifacial Spasm

If your face muscles are spasming, you may have injured a facial nerve. Hemifacial spasm is not dangerous but it can be distressing.

Can You Prevent a Stroke?

Many strokes can be prevented by lowering your risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, and diabetes.

Why Do I See Eye Flashes?

While occasional floaters or flashing lights are not uncommon, you should see an ophthalmologist who can examine you for underlying eye conditions. This is especially important for people with diabetes.

Amnesia is when you can’t form new memories or recall experiences or old memories. Amnesia usually happens suddenly and has a clear cause. Other types of memory loss, like dementia, often develop more gradually.

Why Your Skin Hurts to Touch and What to Do About It

Your skin can hurt from migraines, diabetes, and other pain conditions. Relief can come from creams, medications, good blood sugar control, and other pain treatments.

Abdominal Migraine

Abdominal migraines cause abdominal pain, headache, nausea, and vomiting—mostly in children. Lifestyle changes reduce symptoms.