Acute Stroke

Emergency Rescue
Stroke Emergency Service

Union Hospital provides a 24-hour stroke emergency service, consisting of a multidisciplinary medical team, including specialists from Emergency Medicine, Neurology, Radiology, Intensive Care, and Physiotherapy, aimed at delivering optimal treatment for patients.

Upon arrival, emergency specialists conduct an initial assessment based on symptoms and medical history to determine the type of stroke. Subsequently, neurologists perform further examinations, using advanced imaging techniques to accurately assess the location and extent of the stroke, and recommend appropriate treatment to achieve the best outcomes.

What is Stroke?

Strokes can be classified into haemorrhagic (commonly known as: burst blood vessels) and is chaemic (blockage of brain blood vessels). Among stroke patients, 80% are ischaemic, while the remaining are haemorrhagic.

Haemorrhagic stroke patients: may require surgical intervention for haemostasis.
Acute ischaemic stroke patients: if treated within the golden rescue time (i.e., within 4.5 hours of symptom onset) with intravenous thrombolytic therapy (r-tPA), can effectively dissolve arterial clots, reducing the risk of brain cell death and increasing the chances of complete recovery. However, r-tPA treatment may lead to brain haemorrhage or severe internal bleeding, making it unsuitable for patients with heart disease, cancer, vascular rupture, or coagulation disorders. Aspirin and Low Molecular Weight Heparin are also options for treating ischaemic strokes.

In addition to immediate surgical or medicinal treatment, rehabilitation therapy is equally vital. Even if stroke patients recover well after discharge, they require long-term rehabilitation or specialist care to enhance recovery and prevent complications. Some patients may need physiotherapy to improve physical activity and cognitive abilities, and physiotherapists will assist in selecting appropriate mobility aids (such as wheelchairs, walkers, or canes) to adapt to daily life.

Symptoms

If you experience any of the following signs, it may indicate a stroke. Please call for an ambulance immediately to reduce the risk of death or disability due to a stroke.