Stroke Treatments & Therapies

The nationally ranked stroke experts at Houston Methodist specialize in emergency stroke treatment and rehabilitation. We combine the latest research with decades of expertise to deliver world-class stroke care.    

Houston Methodist is accredited by The Joint Commission as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, the highest certification available. Our board-certified specialists apply the latest research and use advanced technology to quickly diagnose and treat even the most complex strokes.  

We offer the full range of patient-centered stroke treatments, from clot-busting drugs to state-of-the-art neurovascular procedures. Our exceptional team of specialists work together to provide each patient with the best chance for recovery. 

Emergency treatment will depend on the type of stroke and when it occurred. Medication options may include:

• Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), a clot-busting drug given through an IV within three hours of a stroke. 
• Medication to decrease pressure in the brain, lower blood pressure, prevent blood vessels spasms due to bleeding or prevent seizures.

Procedures for stroke can include:

• Thrombectomy removes blood clots too large to be broken down completely by tPA. 
• Surgical clipping to prevent a brain aneurysm from rupturing, which could cause additional brain bleeding.  
• Coiling (endovascular embolization), which involves placing tiny, detachable coils into an aneurysm. The aneurysm fills with blood and blocks blood flow to stop a hemorrhagic stroke.  
• Carotid endarterectomy to remove fatty deposits (plaques) from the carotid arteries in the neck to help prevent recurrent transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or strokes. 
• Angioplasty, in which a neurosurgeon inserts a balloon through a blood vessel in the groin to expand the narrowed artery. Then, we place a stent to support the widened artery. 

Rehabilitation

After a stroke, it is common to experience muscle weakness, coordination problems and difficulty speaking. Houston Methodist’s compassionate and skilled rehabilitation experts can help you regain strength, recover function and regain independence. We will recommend a treatment plan that may include outpatient or in-home therapy or recovery in a rehabilitation facility. Learn more about stroke rehabilitation.