Stroke: Treatment
Treatment varies depending on the cause of the stroke and the amount of time the brain has been deprived of blood. For example, the FDA-approved clot-busting drug tPA can be a very successful course of treatment for victims of ischemic stroke. Unfortunately, the drug must be administered within three hours of the attack and only 3-5% of all stroke victims manage to get to a hospital within that critical window.

For patients with severe blockage of a carotid artery, your doctor might also recommend a surgery called carotid endarterectomy or the placement of a carotid artery stent. These procedures remove deposits in the carotid arteries in your neck.

It’s important for patients to take measures to reduce their risk for a recurrence. These measures might include eating a heart-healthy diet and taking medications. Antiplatelet agents such as aspirin, and anticoagulants such as warfarin interfere with the blood's ability to clot and can play an important role in preventing a recurrence.   

Stroke survivors must undergo rehabilitation to regain as many lost functions as possible. While most recovery occurs during the first few months following a stroke, new techniques and medications offer the potential for recovery up to a year or more after a stroke attack.