Stroke: Every minute counts

When stroke strikes, every minute's delay of treatment counts. A huge new study now shows the exact benefit of early treatment.

Ischemic stroke occurs when a clot blocks blood flow to the brain. Two million brain cells die every minute until blood flow is restored. Infusion of the clot-busting drug known as tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator) can restore blood flow to the brain. However, tPA must be infused in a hospital, as quickly as possible, and no later than 4.5 hours after the stroke.