Getting CVA stroke treatment is an important part of recovering from a stroke. Treatment can include medication to prevent clots from forming or removing a clot in the brain. Treatment can also include surgery to repair blood vessels that are damaged in a stroke. Treatment for ischemic strokes is usually medication, while treatment for hemorrhagic strokes is surgery.
The main goal of stroke treatment is to restore normal function as soon as possible. This includes restoring circulation to the affected area of the brain. The amount of tissue damaged by the stroke will determine the severity of the problem. In some cases, surgery may be needed to remove a clot that has caused bleeding in the brain.
Thrombolytic therapy is a type of therapy used to dissolve clots that are blocking blood flow to the brain. These clots can cause hemorrhagic strokes, which are characterized by bleeding. Thrombolytic therapy is typically offered within the first 24 hours after the onset of a stroke.
Thrombolytic therapy is typically offered in the hospital emergency room. The drugs are usually given intravenously by emergency medical personnel. In order to prevent a stroke, doctors often prescribe medications to lower cholesterol, decrease blood clots, and control blood pressure. They also may recommend a healthy lifestyle.
A clot-busting drug, such as tPA, can dissolve a blood clot or break up an existing one. These drugs are usually administered intravenously in the hospital emergency room. They are only offered within the first three to four hours after a stroke occurs. The drug may be administered as a single dose or it may be given in an extended release form.
A medical test called cerebral angiography may also be administered to determine if a blood clot is causing the stroke. Cerebral angiography is a procedure that uses imaging technology to detect blood clots and narrowing of arteries. This procedure uses contrast material to visualize the blood vessels in the brain.
If a blood clot is present in an artery, it can be removed with a mechanical thrombectomy. This procedure involves inserting a catheter into the artery. The catheter tip may suck up a clot directly or break up the clot. This procedure can reduce long-term disability caused by a stroke. However, it requires a hospital with expertise.
If the clot is present in a blood vessel outside the brain, a surgical clipping may be necessary to prevent it from bursting. This procedure may be performed by a cardiologist, an neurologist, or a neurosurgeon. A craniotomy is also performed to remove a blood clot from the brain.
Patients may also be given a medication called Cilostazol. Cilostazol is a drug that is used to prevent blood clots. This drug is often combined with aspirin. In ischemic strokes, however, antiplatelet medication is sometimes used to prevent blood clots.
Patients with hemorrhagic strokes usually have bleeding in the brain tissue, which can be fatal in some cases. In addition to blood clots, a hemorrhagic stroke may also be caused by an aneurysm. An aneurysm is a large balloon-like balloon that is a sign of a previous head injury.
