Stroke is an emergency condition and if you have symptoms of a stroke you should call 911 and go to the nearest Emergency Room.

In the Emergency Room the doctor will perform a neurological examination, ask about your symptoms and any other medical problems, and perform some blood tests and an EKG. Then, a CT scan is generally done. The CT is done to rule out bleeding types of strokes and is usually normal in early ischemic strokes.

In about 5% of strokes, a medication called t-PA can be given to treat the acute stroke. This medication dissolves the clot and may dramatically improve outcomes in some cases. It also has a risk of causing bleeding in the brain so treatment with t-PA is reserved for more severe strokes. There are many contraindications to the use of t-PA for stroke, so not all patients are able to receive this treatment. However, the most common reason t-PA is not used in stroke is that the patient delayed coming in for evaluation. t-PA must be given within 3 hours of stroke onset to be effective. IF YOU ARE HAVING SYMPTOMS OF STROKE CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.

Patients with severe and disabling strokes are usually admitted to the hospital. There, the nurses and speech therapists assess whether it is safe to swallow. Sometimes, swallowing is dangerous right after a stroke as swallowing may be impaired. If this is the case food and liquids may go into the lungs and cause pneumonia.

Patients are also usually assessed by physical therapy for their safety walking and rehabilitation needs.

Nurses monitor for changes in condition, nutrition, hydration, and other complications Patient who are paralyzed or otherwise immobilized by the stroke may develop blood clots. In the veins of the legs, which is dangerous. Therefore patients may be prescribed “leg squeezers" or medications to prevent these clots.

A determination is also made as to the best way to prevent future strokes. This usually involves consultation by a Neurologist and often further testing such as a carotid doppler-ultrasound or echocardiogram. Most patients with stroke will be treated with Aspirin, which has been shown to substantially reduce the risk of recurrent stroke.

Patients are usually evaluated by physical therapists and often speech therapists to begin rehabilitation, assess needs for assistance devices such as walkers, and decide on the best place / setting for continuing rehabilitation.