If It's Happening Right Now
The 4.5 Hour Window
Time is brain. For ischemic strokes, clot-busting medication must be given within 4.5 hours. Call 108 immediately.
- Face drooping? Arm weakness? Speech difficulty? Time to call 108!
In the Hospital (First 72 Hours)
- Type matters: The doctor must confirm if it's Ischemic (clot) or Haemorrhagic (bleed) via CT/MRI.
- Stroke Unit: Push for a hospital with a dedicated Stroke Unit. Small nursing homes often lack necessary monitoring.
- Don't ask for predictions: No doctor can accurately predict recovery on Day 1. Wait until Day 4 or 5 for a clearer picture.
The Recovery Timeline
- Weeks 1-2: Stabilisation. Early physiotherapy should start in hospital as soon as stable.
- Months 1-3: The "Golden Window." Rapid brain rewiring happens here. Aggressive rehab is critical.
- Months 3-12: Slower gains continue. Do not lose hope if progress seems to stall.
Doctor's Note
"Rehabilitation, not medication, determines the long-term quality of life after a stroke. Start physiotherapy within 48 hours and don't stop for 6 months."
Priorities from Abroad
- Hire Trained Help: Your parent will need 24/7 assistance initially. Hire a medical attendant, not just a helper.
- Home Modifications: Before discharge, ensure there are grab bars, wheelchair access, and a hospital bed.
- Medication Compliance: Missing blood thinners significantly increases second-stroke risk in the first 90 days.
Why This Is Happening
Understand why this happens
A stroke is a plumbing emergency in the brain. Either a pipe is blocked (ischaemic — 80% of strokes) or a pipe has burst (haemorrhagic — 20%). The brain cells downstream of the blockage or bleed are starved of oxygen and begin dying within minutes. This is why speed matters so much — every minute of delay means more brain cells lost. The location of the damage determines what is affected: speech, movement, memory, personality. Rehabilitation works because the brain can reroute functions through undamaged areas — but only if pushed to do so through therapy.