For Stroke Patients

A stroke is a medical emergency. If you are experiencing stroke symptoms, don't wait — call 911 right away.

UPMC experts provide advanced emergency treatment for stroke  — a life-threatening medical emergency that can result in permanent disability or death without fast treatment. Stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is reduced by bleeding (hemorrhagic stroke) or a blood clot that blocks a blood vessel (ischemic stroke).

Our stroke services include:

• Imaging and diagnostic care.
• Minimally invasive surgery.
• Stroke intervention.
• Stroke neurosurgery.
• Stroke rehabilitation.

Preparing for Your First Stroke Care Visit

Stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment, so you may not have a chance to prepare for your visit. In most cases, your stroke care will begin in the nearest hospital emergency department.

When you arrive at the hospital, your doctor will:

• Obtain your vital signs and bloodwork.
• Order imaging or other tests.
• Perform a physical exam.
• Review your health history and medications.

What To Expect at Your Stroke Care Visit

After you arrive at the emergency department, you can expect:

Diagnostic testing

Your doctor may request imaging tests to examine how blood flows through the blood vessels in your brain and check for signs of stroke. Diagnostic tests for stroke include:

• CT or MR angiogram — Also known as arteriography or an arteriogram, this test uses x-rays or magnets and a special contrast dye to look for problems with the blood vessels in your brain.
• CT scan — A test that creates images of your brain and is used to diagnose stroke, brain aneurysm, or another type of brain injury.
• Doppler ultrasound — A noninvasive test that uses ultrasound waves to measure blood flow through your arteries and veins.
• MRI — Uses a combination of large magnets, radio frequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of your brain.

Stroke treatment

After diagnosing a stroke, your doctor will develop a treatment plan. The goals of stroke treatment are to restore blood flow by either removing the blockage or stopping the bleeding while also preventing permanent brain damage that can lead to disability and death. Your stroke treatment will depend on:

• The location, extent, and duration of the blockage or bleeding.
• Your overall condition.

Treatment may include:

• Medication — Treats ischemic stroke by dissolving blood clots. Medications may also be used to treat stroke-related symptoms.
• Minimally invasive endovascular surgery — Treat ischemic stroke using thin, flexible tubes called catheters.
• Stroke neurosurgery — Surgically bypasses and opens blocked blood vessels in your brain and controls bleeding in some types of hemorrhagic strokes.

Stroke recovery

Your recovery after a stroke will depend on your symptoms and the amount of brain damage you experience. Some people have no deficits after a stroke and can resume their normal activities, but others experience severe side effects that cause a loss of independence.

How long does it take to recover after a stroke?

Stroke recovery time varies depending on your overall health, the extent of your stroke, and other factors.

Stroke rehabilitation

UPMC offers comprehensive inpatient or outpatient stroke rehabilitation care, including physical, occupational, or speech therapy after your stroke to help improve or manage side effects. Some people may see improvement in their side effects over time as their brain begins to heal, but others may have permanent disability.

Stroke Co-Pays and Insurance

UPMC accepts many health insurance plans. We ask that you check with your health plan if you have questions about your coverage for doctor’s visits, emergency care, hospital stays, diagnostic tests, or medical procedures. You're responsible for paying any non-covered charges.

If you have an insurance co-pay, you will be billed after your visit. Common forms of payment we accept are:

• Cash or check.
• MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express.
• Flexible spending cards.
• Healthcare savings account cards.
• Debit cards.

Why Choose UPMC for Stroke Care?

When you choose UPMC for stroke care, you will receive:

• Access to world-class stroke neurology, vascular neurology, and neurosurgery expertise — UPMC is among the world’s best multidisciplinary stroke centers. When surgery is necessary, our neurosurgery team is experienced in advanced treatments, including traditional and investigational approaches that are not widely available.
• A full range of treatment options — We offer nonsurgical and minimally invasive stroke care, as well as traditional open surgical procedures, allowing us to effectively treat all types of strokes while reducing your risk of complications.
• Multidisciplinary care — We partner with neurologists, rehabilitation specialists, and other medical experts to provide complete care that optimizes your recovery and quality of life.