Pharmacological treatment of acute ischemic stroke.

Ischemic stroke is devastating. It is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Each year, 480,000 people fall victim to ischemic stroke, which is estimated to cost 71.8 billion dollars (Hinkle JL, Bowman L. J Neurol Nurs. 2003;35:1-8. New treatment is available. Acute ischemic stroke is no longer considered an accident resulting in damage that must simply be dealt with. Now termed a brain attack, like a heart attack it must be treated immediately. Education is key to improving outcomes. Health care professionals must be trained to recognize early signs and symptoms of stroke. The public must be educated to understand the urgency of early evaluation once symptoms of stroke occur Brown M. Clin Med. 2001; 1:60-65). Television commercials, billboards, and public health lectures can be advantageous in a campaign to educate about stroke and the need to seek help immediately when experiencing symptoms, to halt the ischemic damage Brown M. Clin Med. 2001; 1:60-65.