How long will my father take to recover from a paralytic stroke?

Q: My 61 years old father had a paralytic stroke two days back due to high blood pressure. His left side is paralysed. The CT scan was done and everything was normal. He can move his leg and hand a bit but doesn’t have complete control over them. The doctors say he will recover, as there is no big damage. I came to know that people recover in a month’s time from this. Is it true? What should be our course of action?

A:Patients of stroke often have the maximum problem at the beginning, and the process is usually one of gradual recovery. Some people make a complete recovery, however the extent and speed of recovery depends on multiple factors, and is best discussed with your neurologist. Blood pressure control is crucial in preventing recurrence as it is the foremost risk factor for stroke.