Stroke is a sudden loss of blood and oxygen to a specific area of the brain, which kills off a central core of brain cells.The stroke can be due to a blood vessel bleeding or due to a clotted blood vessel.

Use of HBOT for stroke is considered experimental and is not covered by Medicare and most insurance plans. However, in other parts of the world, HBOT is used routinely in the treatment of stroke as in Germany.

Also, Prime Minister Sharon of Israel was treated with HBOT after his stroke.

Theoretically, the closer to the time of brain injury that HBOT is used, the more effective it is. The few dozen patients that we have treated here, generally have tried HBOT one year or more after their stroke.

The benefits have been minimal. One woman was able to move her paralyzed finger slightly more. Another elderly gentleman’s slurred speech improved slightly.

In general, the improvement is very subtle. HBOT used in the acute phase, ie, 1 day to 2 weeks after a stroke, may be much more effective.