Why is Thrombolytic Therapy for Stroke is done?

Updated: 22-07-2025

Thrombolytic therapy is a treatment performed at the emergency level.

It is a drug known as a lytic or clot buster, which helps in dissolving blood clots in the body.

This treatment can be administered at any part of the body.

The major treatments of this therapy are thrombolytic therapy for stroke, artery blockages, and vein blockages, which affect potential functionality and are considered life-threatening issues.

The length of the treatment varies depending on the type of treatment.

It usually takes 60 minutes for a heart attack and up to 48 hours for deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Why is thrombolytic therapy for stroke done?

Thrombolytic therapy reduces and reverses the following diseases and reduces their effect on the body.

Here are the major defects that decrease harm to the body.

  • Brain strokes and blocked arteries in the brain
  • Heart attacks occur when arteries are blocked in the heart
  • Reduces the effect of pulmonary embolism, a blocked lung artery
  • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is the re-blockage of leg veins
  • Acute Arterial Thrombosis / Leg Ischaemia
  • Surgical Bypass blockages
  • Blockage in the dialysis fistulas or catheters

Acute Stroke Treatment

A stroke is caused by the blockage of the blood supply to the brain.

As brain cells stop receiving blood supply, it is difficult to survive without blood flow, which leads to death if not treated at the right time.

Types of Stroke

  • Ischaemic Stroke: It happens when there is a blockage in the brain arteries.
  • It occurs more frequently; almost 80% of people are affected by this.
  • If the stroke is resolved immediately, it is known as a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA).
  • The major cause of stroke and TIA is carotid artery disease.
  • Haemorrhagic Stroke: It happens when there is continuous bleeding in the brain.
  • This stroke is seen in very rare conditions.

Symptoms of stroke

  • Sudden numbness on one side of the body
  • Weaknesses all over the body, such as in the arms, legs, and face
  • Continuous confusion and difficulty in speech
  • Vision problems such as double vision, blurry vision, or partial blindness in either one or both eyes
  • Walking troubles, balance loss out
  • Severe Headache issues

Treatments of the Thrombolytic Therapy for Stroke

Treatment of the stroke is generally categorised into three major stages:

  • Stroke Prevention with medication
  • Immediate therapy after a stroke
  • Rehabilitation of post-stroke

Various treatment processes depend on the health condition and severity of the stroke.

The various treatments include:

  • Treatment to dissolve the blood clots in the brain & to open the narrowed arteries in the brain
  • Treatment for ruptured blood vessels in the brain
  • Mechanical way to remove acute blood clots from the brain

Diagnosis of Thrombolytic Therapy for Stroke

By using these techniques and tests, doctors will identify the stroke area and its cause.

This helps in further treatment and medication.

  • Primarily, the diagnosis starts with a CT scan in the emergency room.
  • It generates detailed images of the brain, which helps in identifying blood clots.
  • This also helps in finding out which type of stroke occurred in the brain.
  • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and angiography tests are performed in further processing once the blood clot and type of stroke are identified.
  • MRA (MRI Angiogram) is used to create pictures of the brain and blood vessels.
  • Ultrasound uses a technique called Doppler ultrasound, which creates images using sound waves from the blood vessels.

Risk Factors of Thrombolytic Therapy for Stroke

  • High Blood Pressure
  • Heart Diseases
  • Smoking
  • Diabetics
  • High Cholesterol
  • Family history of Stroke
  • Previous Stroke history
  • Sickle Cell Anemia
  • Excess consumption of alcohol

Who can be affected more by thrombolytic therapy for a brain stroke?

  • Generally, people in higher age groups are more likely to get strokes when compared to younger age groups.
  • As the age increases, the risk of stroke increases depending on the foods, life habits, and the health we are dealing with.
  • People aged 55 and above have double the stroke risk, and at ages 65 and above, people suffer two-thirds of the strokes.
  • Thrombolytic therapy for stroke in women is effective in around 40,000 cases each year.
  • The effect of stroke varies for men and women.

Tips to minimise the risk of strokes

  • Maintain neutral. Blood pressure
  • Regular medical check-ups
  • Quit smoking
  • Properly maintaining diabetic levels
  • Eating Healthy foods
  • Adopting organic and natural food habits

There should be immediate action after a stroke occurs, or else it may lead to paralysis and risk life.

Once one’s symptoms are noticed, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

Get the treatment at the right time and save a life.

Only treatment will not cure permanently.

A patient should change their food habits and adapt to healthy foods to maintain a balanced life.

Eat healthy! Stay Healthy! Live Healthy!

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Author’s Bio: Ashreetha Pendkar is a healthcare writer, trainer, and digital marketing expert. She loves to read healthcare content and spread her words about the importance of health to near & dear ones.

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