Initial treatment for a stroke happens in the hospital. The sooner you get treatment, the better. The worst damage from a stroke often occurs within the first few hours. The faster you receive treatment, the less damage will occur.
Your treatment will depend on whether the stroke is caused by a blood clot (ischemic) or by bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic). Treatment focuses on restoring blood flow for an ischemic stroke or controlling bleeding for a hemorrhagic stroke.
Before starting treatment, your doctor will use a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of your head to diagnose the type of stroke you've had. For more information about these and other tests, see Exams and Tests.
Ischemic stroke
Emergency treatment for an ischemic stroke depends on the location and cause of the clot. Measures will be taken to stabilize your vital signs, including giving you medicines.
Hemorrhagic stroke
Treatment for hemorrhagic stroke includes efforts to control bleeding, reduce pressure in the brain, and stabilize vital signs, especially blood pressure.
After emergency treatment for stroke, and when your condition has stabilized, treatment focuses on preventing another stroke. It will be important to control your risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Your doctor will probably want you to take one or more medicines to prevent another stroke. For more information on the medicines you may have to take after a stroke, see Medications.
Changes in lifestyle will also be an important part of your treatment to reduce your risk of having another stroke:
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Stroke-Treatment Overview - WebMD