Stroke

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of your brain is interrupted or severely reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Within a few minutes, brain cells begin to die.
Stroke is a medical emergency, and prompt treatment of a stroke is crucial. Early treatment can minimize damage to your brain and potential stroke complications.
The good news is that strokes can be treated, and many fewer Americans now die of strokes than was the case 20 or 30 years ago. Improvement in the control of major risk factors for stroke — high blood pressure, smoking and high cholesterol — is likely responsible for the decline.

(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

Over the last several years improvements in post-stroke patients undergoing ECP have been noted. The hypothesis is that the increased blood supply to the brain may improve overall function, at least in the short term. More studies need to be completed to suggest that ECP dosing may improve the quality of life for post-stroke patients in the long term.

Changes of cerebral blood flow velocities during enhanced external counterpulsation