Stroke Treatment Options

Expert treatment and recovery for stroke in San Diego

A smiling mature man reads paperwork over a cup of coffee, representing the improved quality of life that can be gained from quick treatment for stroke.

Expert treatment and recovery for stroke in San Diego

Receiving care at the first sign of a stroke is critical. When a person with stroke symptoms enters a Scripps hospital emergency room, our experts are equipped to provide a full spectrum of care — from diagnosis and treatment to recovery and rehabilitation. All Scripps hospital campuses with emergency rooms have been certified by the Joint Commission. Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla is a comprehensive stroke center, Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego is a thrombectomy-capable stroke center, Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista and Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas are primary stroke centers.


Fast, accurate stroke diagnosis improves outcomes. Scripps physicians, nurses and other medical staff are specially trained to recognize the signs of stroke and provide immediate, expert care. Our emergency room physicians, neurologists, neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists quickly determine the nature of the stroke and provide state-of-the-art treatment.


Through an agreement with emergency medical services (EMS) providers in San Diego County, when a stroke patient with signs of a large vessel blockage arrives at one of Scripps’ primary stroke centers, a critical care transportation ambulance and nurse are dispatched to that hospital and remain on stand-by during the patient’s clinical evaluation. This early notice allows us to rapidly transfer patients who may need a higher level of care to either our comprehensive stroke center at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla or our thrombectomy-capable stroke center at Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego.

Stroke detection and diagnosis

When a patient comes to the emergency room with stroke symptoms, it’s critical to diagnose the type of stroke quickly in order to provide the right treatment.


In the emergency room, the stroke team determines the diagnosis by gathering a patient’s medical history and conducting a physical and neurological examination. Scripps’ highly skilled stroke care experts employ the latest imaging and diagnostic technology to make an accurate diagnosis as quickly as possible and begin the best treatment. 


Our diagnostic tests include:


  • Advanced imaging scans of the brain, using computed tomography (CT) and CT perfusion or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MRI perfusion, to show the location and extent of brain injury
  • Blood flow tests, such as CT angiography (CTA), magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA), carotid ultrasound, transcranial Doppler and cerebral angiography, to provide detailed information about the condition of the arteries that supply blood to the brain
  • Diagnostic labs, including blood-clotting studies, to look for certain factors that could contribute to a stroke
  • Cardiac evaluation, including EKG, echocardiogram and long-term cardiac monitoring

Stroke treatment options

Scripps stroke experts begin the most advanced treatments for stroke in the emergency room as soon as the type of stroke is determined.

Ischemic stroke treatment

Thrombolytic therapy

Thrombolytic therapy is the standard of care for acute ischemic strokes. This clot-busting medication, which dissolves clots in appropriate patients, must be given within 4.5 hours after symptoms begin. 


The American Stroke Association has recognized Scripps with the awards called “Target: Stroke Elite Plus Honor Roll” and “Target: Stroke Elite Honor Roll” for using thrombolytic therapy within 60 minutes in 75% or more of appropriate acute ischemic stroke patients.


Thrombectomy and embolectomy

Thrombectomy/embolectomy procedures, which remove a clot from the brain, may be used in eligible patients up to 24 hours from the start of an ischemic stroke. These procedures have been shown to be highly successful in treating acute stroke patients who have blockages of large blood vessels that feed the brain. Scripps has extensive experience with this type of treatment and participated in research that resulted in its adoption.


Angioplasty and stenting

Angioplasty and stenting procedures open narrowed arteries. A buildup of plaque in the artery (atherosclerosis) may decrease blood flow to the brain, or plaque may break loose and block a smaller vessel leading to the brain. In these cases, the neurointerventional surgeon may open the narrowed artery by pushing the plaque against the wall of the artery, or inserting a stent to keep the pathway open.


Learn more about ischemic stroke.

Hemorrhagic stroke treatment

Embolizing or clotting agents may be used to treat hemorrhagic stroke. An interventional neuroradiologist may use a catheter to deliver a medication that clots the blood or closes off the ruptured vessel. Tiny platinum coils may be left in the vessel to block abnormal blood flow. This technique may also prevent stroke by treating aneurysms before they rupture. 


Learn more about hemorrhagic stroke.

Stroke recovery and rehabilitation

Stroke is a leading cause of disability, often producing long-term side effects, such as:


  • Paralysis or weakness
  • Mobility, balance or coordination problems
  • Trouble speaking or swallowing
  • Memory or learning problems


Scripps Health offers expert rehabilitation care for stroke survivors. Our full continuum of care ranges from our brain injury day treatment program to outpatient stroke rehab and home health rehabilitation. Our goal is to help stroke survivors relearn skills and abilities and return to productive, independent living. 


While success depends partially on the amount of damage to the brain, starting rehabilitation as soon as possible with caregivers who are highly experienced in stroke therapies can enhance recovery. Our multidisciplinary stroke rehabilitation teams include physical, occupational and speech therapists, physicians, nurses and other rehabilitation professionals. Along with personalized treatment plans, our stroke rehabilitation programs include recreational outings, support groups, work and home space evaluations and physical conditioning.


Scripps offers outpatient rehabilitation for stroke patients throughout San Diego. Care is provided by physical therapists who are specially trained to care for people recovering from stroke or brain injury.

Community involvement

Scripps teams are actively involved in developing new ways to improve stroke care for patients countywide, regardless of where they are admitted. Outreach and education with local first responders (paramedics and emergency medical technicians), as well as collaboration with the American Stroke Association and the San Diego County Stroke Consortium are just a few of the many contributions the Scripps Stroke team is making within our local communities.


Scripps also created a set of stroke codes to use with regional first responders when paramedics and EMTs believe their patient may have had a stroke. This notification further aims to improve coordination, quick transport and treatment of stroke patients.

Stroke support groups

As part of our stroke rehab programs, Scripps offers several support groups and classes about stroke and brain injury offered at various locations. The twice-monthly support group is free and open to anyone who has had a stroke or brain injury, as well as caregivers and loved ones of those coping with stroke and brain injury. We also offer an improvisational speaking class (called Brainmasters) and a healing arts class. Visit our events page to see upcoming dates and times.

Stroke classes and support groups 

Stroke treatment locations

As Joint Commission Certified Stroke Centers, all Scripps hospitals with emergency rooms in San Diego offer comprehensive stroke treatment:



If you think you are having a stroke, please call 9-1-1 immediately.