Which department should I visit for cerebral infarction?

Ischemic stroke (cerebral infarction) typically onset rapidly; in some cases, it can cause irreversible damage to the patient’s body within minutes. Once an ischemic stroke occurs, prompt transport to a hospital for appropriate, professional treatment is essential. So, which department should patients visit for cerebral infarction?

Which Department Should Patients Visit for Cerebral Infarction?

If a patient has been diagnosed with or suspects symptoms of cerebral infarction, they should seek care at the Department of Neurology in a Grade II or higher general hospital—or, alternatively, at the Stroke Unit or Department of Encephalopathy in a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) hospital. Cerebral infarction is a type of ischemic stroke characterized by cerebrovascular occlusion and resultant neurological dysfunction, caused by multiple underlying factors. Atherosclerosis is one of the primary causes of cerebral infarction and commonly develops on the basis of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Therefore, aggressive management of these underlying conditions constitutes the cornerstone of prevention against both atherosclerosis and cerebral infarction. If stroke-like symptoms appear, patients should immediately visit either the Department of Neurology or the Emergency Department. If symptom onset occurred within 3.5 hours, intravenous or intra-arterial thrombolysis may be feasible—do not delay, as timely intervention is critical to optimizing outcomes.

Cerebral infarction results from sudden interruption of cerebral blood flow, leading to localized cerebral ischemia, hypoxia, and tissue necrosis—and consequently, corresponding neurological deficits. Common manifestations include sudden onset of speech impairment or even aphasia, motor dysfunction (e.g., limb weakness or paralysis), sensory disturbances, visual field defects, dizziness, and gait instability. Given the acute nature of these symptoms, patients should immediately call emergency services (120 in China) or be urgently transported to a hospital by family members. In urgent situations, calling the Emergency Department first is advisable, as many hospitals operate dedicated “green channels” and specialized Stroke Centers—enabling faster triage, diagnostics, and treatment initiation. For milder symptoms, direct consultation with the Department of Neurology is appropriate.

Patients are advised to maintain healthy lifestyle habits, follow a light and balanced diet, avoid spicy or irritating foods, and ensure adequate daily sleep. We hope this information proves helpful.