Post-Stroke Care and Treatment

Recovering from a stroke is an intensive process, and everyone’s path to a better life after stroke will be different. But the dedicated stroke team of board-certified neurologists and specialized nurses at Beaufort Memorial is committed to helping patients regain their strength and resume as many of their daily activities as possible.

To assess your risk of stroke, schedule a complete vascular screening package.

Stroke Treatment

Time is of the essence in treating a stroke. If you think you are having one or witnessing someone have one, call 911 immediately. This will ensure that the person having the stroke will get appropriate medical treatment as quickly as possible — much sooner than if a loved one drives him or her to the emergency room.

Stroke treatment varies depending on the type of stroke:

Hemorrhagic Stroke Treatment:

A hemorrhagic stroke happens when a blood vessel bursts inside the brain. An endovascular procedure or surgery will be needed to stop the bleeding.

Ischemic Stroke Treatment:

An ischemic stroke is the most common form of stroke and occurs when a blood clot is blocking a blood vessel in the brain. Patients seen by a medical professional within the first three hours of having an ischemic stroke will be given a medication called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which helps break up the blood clot or clots causing the stroke. Patients who receive tPA in time are much more likely to recover. If the clot appears very large or the tPA is not given in time, an endovascular procedure will likely be needed.

Stroke Rehabilitation

Post-stroke recovery and rehabilitation focuses on two things — helping patients physically recover and helping prevent another stroke. Having one stroke increases the risk of having another, so it’s important to treat stroke risk factors, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, during recovery. This may require medications as well as dietary or lifestyle changes.

Physical and mental rehabilitation may involve:

• Counseling or behavioral therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Speech therapy
• Support groups

Life after a stroke can be hard for both patients and their families. The providers at Beaufort Memorial have the training and experience to get patients through this challenging time and help create a stroke care plan that works.