Every minute that passes reduces the chance for recovery. In most cases, we have only a few hours to reverse the effects of a stroke. The stopwatch starts ticking the second the patient feels the first symptom, not when they get to the hospital. The CT scan is readily available and can be performed rapidly. However, this step takes precious time, so the sooner you get to the hospital, the better chance you have for a good outcome.
Time is also of the essence for patients suffering from hemorrhagic stroke.
Pressure inside the skull can rise dramatically after a hemorrhagic stroke. Pressure inside the skull can rise dramatically after a hemorrhage and medical and surgical treatments to reduce the pressure inside the brain and prevent further damage. In addition, when bleeding occurs, a blood clot can form and cause further damage. A neurosurgeon can remove the clot, but only if it's done within the first few hours of the hemorrhage. But, for now, time is everything when it comes to treating a stroke.