Ischemic stroke is treated by removing obstruction and restoring blood flow to the brain.
In hemorrhagic stroke, doctors introduce an obstruction to prevent rupture and bleeding of aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations. Generally, only 3 to 5 percent of those who suffer a stroke reach the hospital in time to receive treatment. Anticoagulants such as warfarin and antiplatelet agents such as aspirin interfere with the blood's ability to clot and can play an important role in preventing stroke. Carotid endarterectomy is a procedure in which blood vessel blockage is surgically removed from the carotid artery. Doctors sometimes use balloon angioplasty and implantable steel screens called stents to treat cardiovascular disease in which mechanical devices are used to remedy fatty buildup clogging the vessel.