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Preparing for your appointment

By Mayo Clinic staff

A stroke in progress is usually diagnosed in a hospital emergency room. If you're having a stroke, your care will focus on minimizing brain damage and helping you recover and avoid another stroke in the future. If you haven't yet had a stroke but you're worried about your future risk, you can discuss your concerns with your doctor at your next scheduled appointment.

What to expect from your doctor
In the emergency room, you may see an emergency medicine specialist or a doctor trained in brain conditions (neurologist), as well as nurses and medical technicians. Your emergency team's first priority will be to stabilize your symptoms and overall medical condition. Then you'll be evaluated to determine if you're having a stroke, and to find out the cause of your stroke, to determine the most appropriate treatment for your condition.

If you're seeking your doctor's advice during a scheduled appointment, your doctor will evaluate your risk factors for stroke and heart disease. Your discussion will focus on avoiding risk factors for stroke, such as not smoking or using illicit drugs. Your doctor also will discuss lifestyle strategies or medications to control high blood pressure, cholesterol and other stroke risk factors. In some cases, your doctor may recommend certain tests and procedures to better understand your risk of stroke or to treat underlying conditions that may increase your risk of stroke.

Tests and diagnosis Complications
References
  1. Stroke: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/stroke.htm. Accessed April 13, 2012.
  2. Oliveira-Filho J. Initial assessment and management of acute stroke. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed April 13, 2012.
  3. Know stroke brochure. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://stroke.nih.gov/materials/actintime.htm. Accessed April 13, 2012.
  4. Roger V, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics - 2012 update: A report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2012;125:e2.
  5. Warning signs of a stroke. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=SYMP. Accessed April 13, 2012.
  6. Caplan LR. Overview of the evaluation of stroke. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed April 13, 2012.
  7. Caplan LR. Etiology and classification of stroke. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed April 13, 2012.
  8. Ischemic stroke (clots). American Stroke Association. http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/AboutStroke/TypesofStroke/IschemicClots/Ischemic-Strokes-Clots_UCM_310939_Article.jsp. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  9. Cerebral aneurysms fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/cerebral_aneurysms.htm. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  10. Furie KL, et al. Etiology and clinical manifestations of transient ischemic attack. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  11. Effects of stroke. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=EFFECT. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  12. Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm?css=print. Accessed May 7, 2012.
  13. What is echocardiography? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/echo/. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  14. Samuels OB. Intravenous fibrinolytic (thrombolytic) therapy in acute ischemic stroke: Therapeutic use. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  15. Oliveira-Filho J. Reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  16. Cucchiara BL, et al. Antiplatelet therapy for secondary prevention of stroke. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  17. Questions and answers about carotid endarterectomy. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/carotid_endarterectomy_backgrounder.htm. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  18. Mohler ER, et al. Carotid endarterectomy. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  19. Greelish JP, et al. Carotid artery stenting and its complications. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  20. Rordorf G, et al. Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: Prognosis and treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  21. Arteriovenous malformations and other vascular lesions of the central nervous system fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/avms/avms.htm. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  22. Recovery and rehabilitation. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=REHABT. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  23. Recovery after stroke — Coping with emotions. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Recov_factsheets. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  24. Recovery after stroke — Social support. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Recov_factsheets. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  25. Recovery after stroke — Thinking and cognition. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Recov_factsheets. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  26. Controllable risk factors — High blood pressure (hypertension). National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Recov_factsheets. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  27. STARS — Steps against recurrent stroke. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=STARS. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  28. Physical activity and healthy diet. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=eathealthy. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  29. Furie KL. Secondary prevention of stroke: Risk factor reduction. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  30. Oliveira-Filho J, et al. Antithrombotic treatment of acute ischemic stroke. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  31. Brown RD (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 10, 2012.
DS00150 July 3, 2012

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