All patients with stroke need good supportive care to treat the disease process, reduce risk factors, prevent and manage complications.

• Blockage of a blood vessel ( as in Ischemic stroke) can be cleared by injection of 'clot-busters' like Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). Patients should receive this injection within three hours of onset of stroke.
• 'Blood thinner' (like aspirin) is given in most patients.
• Some patients develop life-threatening swelling of the brain, and require surgery (called hemi craniectomy) to save their lives
• In well-equipped centres, clots can be mechanically removed with a device from inside of the arteries after angiography.
• In intracerebral haemorrhage, control of blood pressure is important to prevent continued bleeding.
• Patient should be closely monitored for signs of increased pressure on the brain, such as restlessness, confusion, difficulty in following commands, and headache.
• Other measures should be taken to keep the patient away from straining due to excessive coughing, vomiting, lifting weights and straining at stool.
• Medicines may be given to control blood pressure, brain swelling, blood sugar levels, fever and seizures.
• Surgery, if needed, may include surgical removal of blood clot, also aneurysm clipping, coil embolization and arteriovenous malformation (AVM) repair.
• Patients also need to be assessed for disabilities and planned for continued management with physio therapy, occupational or speech therapy.