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Acute treatment for cerebral infarction is expensive, and subsequent long-term rehabilitation and persistent sequelae often lead to increased living expenses. This frequently results in a financial burden that cannot be fully covered by public health insurance (High-Cost Medical Expense System).

Cerebral infarction treatment is a "race against time," and because it involves highly advanced medical technology, it incurs significant costs. The June 2025 revision of medical fees introduced critical changes to improve the quality and continuity of stroke care, including raising the points for thrombectomy and expanding the duration of early rehabilitation.

One of the major concerns for patients and families following a cerebral infarction is the question of "how long the hospital stay will be." As of 2025, stroke treatment in Japan is typically divided into two phases: "Acute Hospital Treatment" and "Intensive Training at a Recovery Rehabilitation Ward." The most common scenario involves a total hospital stay of approximately 90−120 days.

While acute treatment for stroke is vital for survival, the way a patient copes with the subsequent long-term effects (sequelae) significantly determines their Quality of Life (QOL). Sequelae extend beyond "hemiplegia" to include higher brain function disorders affecting language, memory, and emotion, each requiring appropriate rehabilitation.

Cerebral infarction (stroke) is the "No. 1 Preventable Disease"—with appropriate measures, you can reduce your risk of onset by half or more. Focusing on the three major risk factors for stroke in Japan—High Blood Pressure, Smoking, and Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)—will significantly influence your future health.

Cerebral infarction treatment demands extremely rapid decision-making and action, based on the principle that "Time equals Brain." The time elapsed since onset drastically changes which treatments can save a life and minimize long-term disabilities. Crucially, contemporary standard treatment focuses intensive, powerful therapies during the immediate hours following onset.

The time between the onset of a cerebral infarction and the start of treatment directly determines the severity of long-term disability and life expectancy. The most crucial thing upon onset is to know the four easily recognizable signs (FAST)and call 119/911 without hesitation.Even if symptoms disappear in a few minutes, it could be a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), which is a highly likely precursor to a major stroke. The decision to "wait and see" can lead to irreversible consequences.

Cerebral infarction is not a single disease. It is broadly categorized into three types based on the mechanism of onset: "Lacunar Infarction," "Atherothrombotic Infarction," and "Cardioembolic Infarction." Each type has different causes, treatments, and secondary prevention strategies.

A cerebral infarction (ischemic stroke) is a time-critical medical emergency where a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked, cutting off blood flow and causing brain tissue to die. It accounts for approximately 70−80% of all strokes and can leave severe long-term disabilities such as paralysis and speech difficulties.This guide explains the basics of cerebral infarction, the emergency signs (FAST) everyone must know, and the latest treatment methods. Time is crucial: If treated within 4.5 hours of onset, clot-busting t-PA therapy may be administered, which significantly impacts recovery.

While the criteria are generally the same for both children and adults, caution is especially advised for children, pregnant women, and the elderly, as they often have residual virus despite "looking well."The latest criteria from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases are summarized below.