Treatment

The first priority if you believe you or someone around you is having a stroke is to call 911. It is essential that a person suffering a stroke receives medical attention as soon as possible. Make sure the 911 operator knows that someone may be having a stroke - to ensure proper treatment the sufferer must be admitted to a hospital with a stroke center. Not all hospitals have stroke centers; to find a stroke center in your area click here and look for facilities listed as Primary Stroke Centers.

The current treatments for stroke are as follows:

Ischemic Stroke (blockage of blood vessel):

• tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) or "clot buster": Administered via IV in the hospital, this drug can dissolve blood clots. It greatly reduces the chances of permanent disability, but must be administered within 3 hours of the stroke for maximum effectiveness. Because of the small window of time in which it is necessary to get to the hospital and diagnose the stroke, the majority of stroke survivors do not reach the hospital in time for this treatment to work to its full potential.

Hemorrhagic Stroke (rupture of blood vessel):

• Surgical measures: Surgery is often required to clip closed or removed the ruptured blood vessel or vessels.
• Endovascular procedures or "coils": A less invasive procedure where a catheter is inserted through a major artery elsewhere in the body to place a device in the blood vessel to prevent further rupture.

Rehabilitation

After the patient is stabilized, rehabilitation begins immediately in the hospital, and can continue indefinitely. It was once thought that after about 6 months of rehab, a stroke survivor could not recover their physical and cognitive function any further. However, more recent research indicates that stroke survivors can continue to improve as long as they continue rehab. The Stroke Survivor Connection therapy support group program exists to fill the unmet need for ongoing rehabilitation and support for stroke survivors in Western Pennsylvania.

Insurance and Stroke

Most insurances cover medical rehabilitation for a limited amount of time after a stroke. Be sure to select an accredited provider for your rehabilitation period. The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities maintains a list of accredited providers in the United States.