A blocked blood vessel in the brain can impair speech, movement, vision and consciousness; timely intervention is vital.
When to seek emergency care
If any of the following signs occur, call *3003 immediately — do not wait for a routine appointment:
- Drooping on one side of the face
- Sudden weakness in an arm or leg
- Unintelligible speech or inability to speak
- Loss of vision
- Sudden severe dizziness and loss of coordination
What is it?
Stroke is not a matter for a routine appointment. Knowing the exact time the symptoms began is essential for determining the treatment window.
Symptoms
- Weakness on one side
- Speech impairment
- Facial asymmetry
- Visual impairment
- Numbness
- Altered consciousness
Causes & risk factors
- Atrial fibrillation
- Carotid artery stenosis
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- High cholesterol
- Previous TIA or stroke
Diagnosis
Diagnosis does not rely on a single test. Symptoms, risk factors, physical examination findings and investigation results are assessed together.
- Emergency brain CT or MRI
- Vascular imaging
- ECG and heart rhythm assessment
- Blood tests
- Neurological examination
Treatment approaches
Treatment is individualized according to disease severity, the patient's overall condition, comorbidities and procedural risk.
- Emergency stroke protocol
- Thrombolysis within an appropriate time window
- Mechanical thrombectomy in selected cases of large-vessel occlusion
- Secondary prevention
- Rehabilitation
How we help
At the center, a patient with suspected stroke is referred for urgent neurological and vascular assessment. If there is a large-vessel occlusion, the need for endovascular intervention is considered without delay.
When a procedure may be needed
Mechanical thrombectomy may be needed when a large brain vessel is occluded, the time window is appropriate and imaging findings are supportive.
Patient checklist
- Record the exact time the symptoms began
- Do not give medication on your own
- Call emergency services
- If you have atrial fibrillation, do not interrupt prescribed treatment
FAQ
If stroke symptoms resolve, is it still an emergency?
Yes. A transient ischemic attack may be a warning of a future stroke.
Can I wait at home if a stroke is suspected?
No. Treatment options depend on time.
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