Emergency treatment
You will have a brain scan as soon as possible to find out which type of stroke it is.
- Thrombolysis: a clot-busting medicine, for some ischaemic strokes, given within a few hours of symptoms starting
- Thrombectomy: a procedure to remove the clot, for some strokes caused by a blockage in a large artery
- Haemorrhagic strokes may need medicines to lower blood pressure or reverse blood thinners, and sometimes surgery
You should be cared for on a specialist stroke unit.
Rehabilitation
A team of specialists helps you relearn skills and adapt:
- physiotherapy for movement and balance
- occupational therapy for daily tasks, such as washing and dressing
- speech and language therapy for speech, language and swallowing
- psychological support for mood, memory and thinking
Some people are supported at home by an early supported discharge team.
Preventing another stroke
- blood thinners, such as clopidogrel or, for AF, an anticoagulant
- statins to lower cholesterol
- medicines to lower blood pressure
- surgery to clear a narrowed artery in the neck (carotid endarterectomy) for some people
Common questions
How long does rehabilitation last?
It is different for everyone. Most recovery happens in the first 3 to 6 months, but people keep improving for years. You should have a review 6 months after your stroke, and then every year.
Sources we used
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