Top Cardiologists in Palm Beach Discuss What You Need To Know About Recovery After a Stroke

Stroke is one of the most catastrophic events that can happen to the human brain. Modern medical techniques increase the possibility of surviving a stroke if doctors are able to provide clot-busting drugs or provide other forms of intervention during the first few minutes of having a stroke, but even in these cases there is always some damage, because brain cells deprived of the blood and oxygen they need start dying immediately and once dead, remain dead.

As a result, recovering from a stroke can be a long and challenging task. The type of rehabilitation required and its duration depend to some extent on the severity of the stroke and which faculties the patient has lost, but some intervention is almost always necessary to help the brain relearn skills it's lost and functionality that is no longer fully present.

What is involved in stroke rehabilitation?

Depending on the individual case, recovering from a stroke may involve physical activities such as relearning and strengthening motor skills, increasing mobility, restraining unaffected limbs while learning to re-use affected limbs, and range-of-motion therapies. It may also involve technology-assisted physical activities that use electrical stimulation, wireless or robotic technology, or virtual reality to help the patient regain mobility.

Because the damage done to cognitive areas of the brain may be even worse than physical disabilities, recovery can also involve intensive therapy for communication disorders, extensive psychological treatment, and the use of medications to treat depression, which is often an issue that retards progress towards rehabilitation.

When does stroke rehabilitation begin and how long does it take?

In general, the sooner you start working with top cardiologists in Palm Beach and with the rehabilitation specialists they recommend, the more likely you will be to regain abilities and skills lost as a result of the stroke. Many hospitals and heart doctors in Palm Beach recommend that rehabilitation begin as soon as 24 hours after a stroke. As for how long full recovery can take, that's more of an open question that depends on the individual case. Recovery of most functions can take months or even years, and full recovery may never happen.

This rehabilitation can take place in different locations, as well. Some exercise therapy can take place at home, but therapies that require specialized equipment may need to be performed in either inpatient stroke recovery units or at a local hospital or clinic on an outpatient basis.

There can also be many, many specialists involved in helping you during this process – your Palm Beach cardiologists, other physicians, physical therapists, rehabilitation nurses, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, vocational counselors, psychologists, and social workers.

Now that you know the facts, the best way to recover from a stroke is to not have one in the first place

This is where your Delray Beach cardiologists come in. Most of the risk factors for stroke are well-known, and these Palm Beach heart doctors can determine whether you are at high risk of having a stroke after a thorough examination. Some of the risk factors such as age, sex, and family stroke history can't be changed, but other risk factors such as being overweight or obese, having high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels, diet, and exercise can. You can significantly lower your stroke risk by simply working with the best cardiologists in Palm Beach and following their advice. Give us a call today at 561-515-0080 and schedule your own stroke risk checkup.

Author Bio: Top Cardiologists in Palm Beach discuss stroke, how devastating one can be, and the many types of rehabilitation it may take to fully recover from one.

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