Vascular Neurology and Stroke

Vascular neurology is the specialized treatment of strokes and stroke risk factors. You may need to see a vascular neurologist during or after a stroke, or if you are at risk of having a stroke.

Vascular neurologists are often called stroke doctors because, in addition to taking care of people who have neurological conditions, they concentrate all or most of their work on taking care of people who have challenging stroke problems.

All neurologists have a great deal of experience in managing strokes. Vascular neurology requires additional subspecialty training after completion of a four-year neurology residency. This subspecialty training may take between one to three years and is focused on the latest techniques in stroke care, including interventional treatments.

A stroke is characterized by symptoms such as weakness, numbness, vision changes, and speech disturbance. These symptoms are caused by damage to the brain, usually resulting from an interruption of blood supply or by a hemorrhage (bleeding) in the brain.

Vascular Neurologists

There are a number of reasons why you may need to see a vascular neurologist. If you have difficulty managing stroke risk factors, are seen in the hospital within a few hours of having a stroke, have an unexplained stroke, have recurrent strokes, or have unusual effects of a stroke.

Stroke Risk Factors

If you have blood vessel abnormalities in the brain, such as a brain aneurysm, a bulge that forms in an artery that can tear, or an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), this can increase your risk of having a stroke. The decision of whether you should be taking a blood thinner or should have a procedure to repair the blood vessel is fairly complicated, and you may need to see a vascular neurologist to assess the risks and benefits of various treatment options.

Blood clotting disorders also increase the risk of strokes, and these are generally lifelong conditions that require a long-term stroke prevention treatment strategy.

Acute Stroke Management

If you are able to get to the hospital within a few hours of the beginning of your stroke symptoms, you have a better chance of recovery. Stroke treatments, including the powerful blood thinner tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), are far more effective and safe when administered within the first few hours of stroke symptoms before permanent damage occurs.

Unexplained Stroke

There are a number of common stroke risk factors. Most of the time, one or more risk factors are identified as the cause of a stroke.

Recurrent Strokes

If you have had recurrent strokes, such as in multi-infarct dementia, you may need to see a stroke neurologist, especially if your recurrent strokes are cryptogenic.

Unusual Effects

The effects of a stroke generally involve language problems, physical weakness, or problems with vision. Sometimes, however, a person can experience unexpected personality changes after a stroke, such as emotional behavior that seems out of character or doesn't necessarily match up with the damaged area in the brain.

Young Age or High Risk

If you have a particularly high-risk situation, such as a stroke during pregnancy, or if your baby has had a stroke, you may need a consultation with a stroke neurologist, who may follow you regularly to identify and manage stroke risk factors. Similarly, if your teenager has had a stroke, a stroke neurologist can help manage long-term effects and focus on the prevention of future strokes.

A Word From Verywell

Years ago, there was little that doctors could do to treat strokes, due to the lack of diagnostic techniques and effective treatments. However, neurologists and other physicians have developed multiple new and effective approaches to diagnose, treat and prevent strokes over the past few decades, resulting in substantially improved stroke care. Your stroke care team includes doctors, nurses, and therapists. If you have had a stroke, there are a number of post-stroke rehabilitative techniques, including electrical therapy and mirror therapy.