Stroke treatment should be initiated within how many hours of symptom onset?

• A. 6 hours
• B. 12 hours
• C. 24 hours
• D. 48 hours

Answer: (A)

Time is brain. In acute stroke, restoring blood flow as quickly as possible minimizes brain damage and improves chances of recovery. Therapies to reopen the blocked vessel have a finite time window, and starting treatment sooner yields better outcomes while delaying increases both the risk of complications and the likelihood of permanent deficits. Among the given options, six hours represents the upper limit within which initial reperfusion therapy is typically started in many clinical settings. Going beyond this window generally reduces benefit and raises risk, though in some cases other therapies can be considered later. So, initiating treatment within six hours best reflects the critical, time-sensitive nature of acute stroke care.