Stroke Treatment and Recovery

Getting immediate medical attention after the first signs of a stroke increases the possibility that you may receive clot-dissolving therapies (such as TPA) or other clot-retrieving procedures in time to reduce disability and death resulting from stroke.

Following emergency treatment, stroke care focuses on helping regain your strength, recovering as much function as possible and returning to independent living. The impact of your stroke depends on the area of the brain involved and the amount of tissue damaged.

If your stroke affected the right side of your brain, your movement and sensation on the left side of your body may be affected. If your stroke damaged the brain tissue on the left side of your brain, your movement and sensation on the right side of your body may be impacted. Brain damage to the left side of your brain may cause speech and language disorders. In addition, if you've had a stroke, you may have problems with breathing, swallowing, balancing and vision.

Most stroke survivors receive treatment in a rehabilitation program. Your care team will recommend the most rigorous therapy program you can handle based on your age, overall health and the degree of disability from your stroke. Your lifestyle, interests and priorities, and the availability of family members or other caregivers, will also be taken into consideration.

Depending on your condition, your treatment team may include:

• Doctor trained in brain conditions (neurologist)
• Rehabilitation doctor (physiatrist)
• Nurse
• Dietitian
• Physical therapist
• Occupational therapist
• Speech therapist
• Social worker
• Psychologist or psychiatrist
• Chaplain