Stroke: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.

What kind of doctor treats Stroke?

Emergency doctors and a hospital team of specialists give the first treatment for a stroke, so call 911 right away. A neurologist, a doctor who treats the brain and nerves, often helps with care after that. A rehabilitation doctor can help you relearn lost skills. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.

What is a stroke?

A stroke happens when part of the brain loses its blood flow. Brain cells then cannot get the oxygen and nutrients they need from blood, and they start to die within a few minutes. A stroke can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or even death.

There are two types of stroke:

  • An ischemic stroke is caused by a blood clot that blocks or plugs a blood vessel in the brain. This is the most common type.
  • A hemorrhagic stroke happens when a blood vessel breaks and bleeds into the brain.

A transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a mini-stroke, happens when the blood supply to the brain is blocked for a short time. The damage to the brain cells is not permanent, but a TIA puts you at much higher risk of having a stroke.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a stroke often happen quickly. They include:

  • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or trouble understanding speech.
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination.
  • A sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

The F.A.S.T. test can help you remember what to look for. Look for a drooping face, a weak arm, and slurred or strange speech. If you see these signs, it is time to call 911.

Causes and who gets it

Heart diseases can cause blood clots that lead to stroke. Bleeding in the brain may be caused by high blood pressure or by an aneurysm, which is a widening of an artery.

High blood pressure is the primary risk factor for a stroke. Other major risk factors are diabetes, heart diseases, smoking, a personal or family history of stroke or TIA, and age. People who are African American or Hispanic have a higher risk.

How doctors diagnose it

A doctor asks about your symptoms and medical history and does a physical exam. The doctor also runs tests. The doctor wants to know the type of stroke, its cause, the part of the brain affected, and whether there is bleeding in the brain.

Tests may include:

  • A CT scan, which uses X-rays to take clear, detailed pictures of the brain. It can show bleeding in the brain or damage to brain cells.
  • An MRI, which uses magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain.
  • An electrocardiogram (EKG), which can help find heart problems that may have led to a stroke.
  • Blood tests, which check your blood cell counts, your blood sugar, and how well your blood is clotting.

Treatment

A stroke requires emergency care. You will probably be treated in a specialized stroke unit of the hospital. Treatment depends on whether the stroke was ischemic or hemorrhagic and how much time has passed since symptoms started.

For an ischemic stroke, treatment may include:

  • The main treatment is a medicine called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which breaks up the blood clots that block blood flow to the brain. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances of recovery.
  • If you cannot have tPA, you may get a blood-thinning medicine, such as aspirin or clopidogrel. The main side effect of these medicines is bleeding.
  • A thrombectomy removes the clot from the blood vessel.
  • If carotid artery disease caused the stroke, a surgery called carotid endarterectomy can remove plaque from the carotid artery in the neck.

For a hemorrhagic stroke, treatment depends on what part of the brain is bleeding and how much. It may include:

  • Blood pressure medicine, to lower the strain on blood vessels in the brain.
  • Aneurysm clipping or coil embolization, which block off or seal an aneurysm to help stop bleeding.

Stroke rehabilitation can help you relearn skills you lost because of the damage.

When to see a doctor

Call 911 right away if you or someone else has sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, sudden confusion or trouble speaking, sudden trouble seeing, sudden trouble walking or loss of balance, or a sudden severe headache with no known cause. Every minute counts during a stroke.

How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in

A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Such a doctor can review your risk factors, help with follow-up after a hospital stay, and coordinate care with specialists. A stroke is an emergency, so call 911 first.

Common questions

What is the difference between a stroke and a TIA?

A stroke can cause lasting brain damage, while a TIA blocks the blood supply to the brain for only a short time and does not permanently damage brain cells. A TIA still puts you at much higher risk of having a stroke.

Which type of stroke is more common?

Ischemic stroke is the most common type.

Can a stroke be prevented?

Heart-healthy lifestyle changes may help prevent a stroke. These include eating a heart-healthy diet, being active, quitting smoking, and managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Sources

  1. MedlinePlus - Stroke
  2. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - Stroke Treatment
  3. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - Stroke Diagnosis

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.