Treating Stroke

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A stroke is an emergency! 1,2

Every 3 minutes and 14 seconds, someone dies of a stroke in the United States, yet 1 in 3 stroke patients never call 9-1-1.

Calling 9-1-1 at the first sign of a stroke can be lifesaving.

Acting F.A.S.T. is key for stroke

If you think someone may be having a stroke, do the following: 3

FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop?

ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

What are the treatments when a stroke occurs? 2

To reduce injury to your brain and body, you must get treatment right away.

Treatment begins as soon as emergency medical services (EMS) arrives at your door. Once at the hospital, you may receive emergency treatment, treatment to prevent additional strokes, and/or rehabilitation.

If you've had a stroke caused by a clot:

If you've had a stroke caused by a bleeding:

You may be given medicine to break up the clot and improve blood flow to the brain. In order to work, this medicine must be given within 3 hours of the first signs of a stroke.

Patients who receive this medicine in time are more likely to recover fully or have less disability.

You may need surgery to stop the bleeding, remove a clot, or to repair a weakened blood vessel.

SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?

TIME: If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away.

How can a stroke affect you?

Even after treatment, a stroke can impact how you think, feel, act, move, and speak. Lasting effects may include: 2

Paralysis and/or weakness on one side of the body

Numbness, pain, or strange sensations

Trouble chewing or swallowing

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Recovery time can take weeks, months, or even years. Rehabilitation (rehab) may include working with speech, physical, and occupational therapists. Rehab can help you: 2

Relearn movement and coordination skills you may have lost

Work on any problems with speaking or understanding speech

Regain your independence by improving your ability to take on your daily activities

If needed, you may also get therapy and medicine for depression and other mental health conditions to help you adjust to life after a stroke.

Trouble speaking and understanding others

Problems with bladder and bowel control

Problems with thinking, memory, and judgement

Depression or trouble controlling or expressing emotion

Reducing the Risk of Another Stroke

After a stroke, you are at greater risk of having another one. One in 4 stroke survivors has another stroke within 5 years. These steps may help reduce your risk: 2,4

Treating conditions that may have caused your stroke—heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), diabetes

If needed, taking medicines to help keep blood clots from forming Lifestyle changes—eating right, being active, quitting smoking

Take an active role in your health and recovery. Work closely with your doctor and other health care professionals and always take medicines as prescribed.

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stroke facts. Reviewed May 4, 2023. Accessed May 15, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Treat and recover from stroke. Reviewed May 4, 2023. Accessed May 15, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/treatments.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vital Signs. Preventing stroke deaths. Published September 6, 2017. Accessed May 15, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/stroke
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevent stroke: what you can do. Reviewed April 5, 2022. Accessed May 16, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/prevention.htm

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