“Time is brain when it comes to stroke treatment,” says Josephine Huang MD, a neurologist at Mayo Clinic in Florida. “The sooner a person receives medical care, the greater the chance of reducing long-term disability and improving recovery.” Stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted, either by a blockage in an artery or by bleeding in the brain. Mayo Clinic experts say both types of stroke require immediate medical evaluation, because prompt treatment can significantly improve recovery and reduce long-term disability.