How is a stroke diagnosed?

The first test the doctor will do in the emergency room is a CT scan of the head. This can show if there is bleeding in the brain. You may also have an MRI.

Other tests recommended for ischemic stroke include:

  • Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG) to check for heart problems.
  • Blood tests to help your doctor make choices about your treatment and to check for conditions that may cause symptoms like those of a stroke. Tests may include:
    • Complete blood count (CBC).
    • Blood sugar.
    • Electrolytes.
    • Liver and kidney function.
    • Prothrombin time and INR (a test that measures how long it takes your blood to clot).

Tests you may have later

If it seems that you may have a narrowing of a carotid artery, your doctor may want you to have a:

  • Carotid ultrasound/Doppler scan to evaluate blood flow through the artery.
  • Magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA).
  • CT angiogram.
  • Carotid angiogram.

If your doctor believes that the stroke may have been caused by a problem with your heart, you may have an echocardiogram or Holter monitoring or a telemetry test.

Guidelines recommend that risk factors for heart disease also be assessed after a stroke to prevent disability or death from a future heart problem. This is because many people who have a stroke also have coronary artery disease.

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Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.

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Our Clinic

The Stanford Stroke Center is a pioneer in using the latest surgical techniques and innovative therapies to rapidly treat individuals experiencing a stroke.  

Stanford Neuroscience Health Center
213 Quarry Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Phone: 650-723-6469
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