Stroke Specialist

Lower Merion Neurology PC

Neurologist located in Paoli, PA & Narberth, PA

With quick emergency care, you can survive a stroke, and with ongoing treatment after a stroke, you can go on to live a full life. Sudhir Aggarwal, MD, PhD, at Lower Merion Neurology PC, develops an individualized stroke prevention program using medication and lifestyle changes to control your risk factors for stroke. To schedule an appointment, call the office located in Paoli, Pennsylvania, and serving the larger Main Line area, or use the online booking feature.

Stroke Q & A

What causes a stroke?

Strokes occur when the blood flow to your brain is blocked. Without blood, your brain doesn’t receive oxygen, and brain cells die. You can significantly lower your risk for brain damage and improve your chances for recovery by getting rapid treatment.

What symptoms develop during a stroke?

The FAST acronym is designed to help you remember the key symptoms of a stroke, while also making it clear that it’s essential to act quickly and get emergency care at the first sign of a stroke.

FAST stands for:

Face - One side of your mouth or half of your face may droop
Arm - You may have weakness in one arm and have a hard time holding it up
Speech - You may have difficulty speaking or have slurred speech
Time - Call 9-1-1 quickly

A stroke may also cause:

Confusion
Vomiting
Dizziness
Blurry vision
Double vision
Severe headache
Difficulty walking
Loss of balance

When a stroke causes these symptoms, they appear suddenly.

What are the different types of strokes?

There are two types of strokes, ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes occur when a blood clot or a buildup of plaque blocks an artery serving the brain. A ruptured blood vessel causes hemorrhagic strokes.

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a type of mini-stroke that lasts a few minutes and doesn’t cause brain damage. If you have a TIA, it’s a red flag that you’re at risk of having a full-blown stroke.

How are strokes treated?

Your treatment depends on the type of stroke. An ischemic stroke is treated with medication to dissolve a blood clot or a minimally invasive procedure to remove the plaque. If you have a hemorrhagic stroke, you may receive medication to stop the bleeding and surgery to repair blood vessels if needed.

After a stroke, Dr. Aggarwal at Lower Merion Neurology PC evaluates your risk factors for having another stroke and works with you to prevent that from happening. He recommends the most appropriate preventive medications and lifestyle changes you can take to lower your risks.

Dr. Aggarwal also provides treatment for post-stroke spasticity, which is muscle stiffness and rigidity in an arm or leg. Many patients of Lower Merion Neurology PC significantly improve with Botox® injections, which is FDA-approved for treating post-stroke spasticity.

To receive exceptional care for stroke, call Lower Merion Neurology PC or schedule an appointment online.

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