1. Understanding Stroke Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the Stroke Quiz
3. Slideshow: Atrial Fibrillation Causes, Tests, and Treatment

Medical Author:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

View Full Profile

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association guidelines for initial care and treatment for stroke patients were revised and published in January 2013. The recommendations are extensive and specific but the major points are summarized as follows:

The initial treatment for stroke is supportive.

• The patient usually will be given fluids through an IV because if they are having a stroke, they may often be dehydrated.
• Oxygen may be given to be sure that the brain is getting the maximal amount.
• If the patient has any difficulty breathing, this will be assessed and treated.
• Unlike people with chest pain, people having a stroke are not given an aspirin immediately.
• The patient is requested not to eat or drink until their ability to swallow is assessed.
• Blood pressure control: Although blood pressure control is part of the prevention and treatment of strokes, it is important not to lower the blood pressure too much so that the brain will get enough blood. Many different medications can be used to lower the blood pressure including pills, nitroglycerin paste, or IV injections. If the blood pressure is very high, the patient would be placed on a continuous IV flow of medication.
• Many people with stroke have very high blood pressure when they come to the emergency department. This may be due to an underlying problem or in response to the stroke. The doctor will assess the blood pressure and the type of stroke and decide if the blood pressure should be lowered.
• If the patient has acute stroke, they will be admitted to the hospital for monitoring and further testing to figure out the cause of the stroke and ways to prevent a future stroke. Once someone has had a stroke, they are at greater risk than others of having an additional stroke.

Must Read Articles Related to Stroke

Aerobic Exercise Aerobic exercise is moderate physical activity that's sustained for a few minutes with the goal of improving health. Walking, biking, swimming, dancing, and jog...learn more >>

Atrial Fibrillation Atrial fibrillation (A fib) describes a rapid, irregular heart rhythm. The irregular rhythm, or arrhythmia, results from abnormal electrical impulses in the hea...learn more >>

Atrial Flutter Atrial flutter is an abnormality in the beating of the heart. Such abnormalities, whether in rhythm of heartbeat or speed of heartbeat, are known as arrhythmias...learn more >>

See the Entire Stroke Topic Guide »