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Dr. Rachel Vassar, MD is a vascular neurologist in San Mateo, CA specializing in vascular neurology and pediatric neurology. She graduated from Boston University School of Medicine in 2017 and has 8 years of experience. Dr. Rachel Vassar, MD is affiliated with UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals and Hill Physicians.
1100 Park Place
San Mateo, CA 94403
1181 Central Boulevard
Brentwood, CA 94513
1300 South Eliseo Drive
Greenbrae, CA 94904
14880 Los Gatos Boulevard
Los Gatos, CA 95032
1825 4th Street 6th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94143
1825 Fourth Street
San Francisco, CA 94158
2303 Camino Ramon
San Ramon, CA 94583
2330 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
2401 Shadelands Drive
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
550 16th Street 4th Floor, Box 0110
San Francisco, CA 94143
744 52nd Street
Oakland, CA 94609
Stroke
A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when a blood vessel supplying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is ruptured or blocked. The brain cannot function without a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients, so when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, even for a brief moment, brain cells begin to die. When a sufficient number of brain cells die, the brain itself can no longer function, meaning that strokes are very dangerous. Strokes can result in impaired movement, speech, cognitive ability, the impairment of important physical functions, and even death.
Anyone can have a stroke, regardless of age and health. Strokes are known to happen at random. However, certain conditions and behaviors can increase one's risk of stroke over time.
Risk factors for stroke include:
There are two main types of stroke: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke occurs more commonly and is when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked. Blockages are caused by blood clots and built-up plaque (deposits of fat and cholesterol), which leads to atherosclerosis, a condition where the blood vessels narrow and harden. The resultant restricted blood flow may lead to an ischemic stroke by blocking essential oxygen to the brain, causing the heart to exert more effort to pump blood.
Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in or around the brain ruptures. The burst vessel leaks blood into surrounding brain tissue, causing irreparable brain damage.
Hemorrhagic strokes are less common and may occur from head injuries, brain aneurysms, brain tumors, and bleeding disorders, amongst other conditions.
Both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes require immediate medical treatment. Medical intervention can prevent severe and life-threatening brain damage. Signs of stroke include:
-Disorientation or confusion
-Difficulty speaking
-Difficulty walking
-Impaired vision
-Weakness in the face, legs, or arms
-Severe headaches
When someone suspected of having a stroke reaches the hospital, the patient will usually receive a CT or other scan that provides an image of the brain. The scan results can reveal clotted or leaking blood in the brain. Physical exams, neurological exams, and blood tests may also be used to check for blood clotting and sugar. Treatment begins generally immediately if a stroke is detected.
Medical treatment for ischemic strokes includes a thrombolytic medicine which breaks up and disperses blood clots. This medicine can greatly improve stroke recovery and long-term health. However, the thrombolytic medicine must be administered as soon as possible to achieve these results. Other treatments for ischemic strokes are blood thinners and thrombectomy, a surgical procedure to remove a blood clot in the brain. Thrombectomy is performed by inserting a catheter (thin needle) into the artery to reach the blood clot and mechanically remove it. With the clot removed, normal blood flow to the brain resumes. Thrombectomy is typically performed at most six hours after a patient shows signs of a stroke.
Hemorrhagic strokes are treated with blood-saving medication and surgery. For a hemorrhagic stroke caused by the rupture of an aneurysm (blood vessel bulges), surgery to stem the bleeding aneurysm and vessel may be used. One surgical technique is stent-assisted coiling, which adds a stent (small wire-meshed tube) into the blood vessel to block the leaking opening of the aneurysm. A non-surgical procedure is endovascular coiling, where a catheter (thin, hollow needle) places a platinum wire coil at the spot of the aneurysm. The coil blocks bleeding and prevents the aneurysm from continuing to leak blood. These procedures are usually combined with blood-thickening medications. Blood transfusions may be administered if substantial blood loss has occurred.
Since stroke patients may have lost some essential functions while the blood flow to their brains was obstructed, both ischemic stroke and hemorrhage stroke patients may receive post-stroke rehabilitation to rebuild their physical and mental abilities. Some restorative treatments include occupational, physical, and speech therapy. Patients may also receive care from neurologists, who can assist patients in recovering certain brain functions and cognitive abilities, and rehabilitation psychologists, who may help patients with their emotional, behavioral, and cognitive recovery. Some stroke patients require lengthy rehabilitation and may never fully regain function, while others may recover more quickly. While the fastest recovery improvements are usually seen in the first three or four months, stroke rehabilitation can last for years.
If someone begins to show signs of stroke, contact emergency services and call 9-1-1 immediately since blood flow must be restored as soon as possible to help avoid significant brain damage. If an ambulance takes the person to the hospital, paramedics can initiate stroke treatment as soon as the patient enters the ambulance, allowing for more prompt medical intervention and care.
Dr. Rachel Vassar, MD graduated from Boston University School of Medicine in 2017. She completed residency at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Affiliated Hospitals. She has a state license in California.
Medical School: Boston University School of Medicine (2017)
Residency: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Affiliated Hospitals (2022)
Licensed In: California
Dr. Rachel Vassar, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Rachel Vassar, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Cigna, Blue Shield, Aetna, Anthem, UnitedHealthcare, Health Net, Chinese Community Health Plan, Brand New Day and Canopy Health.
According to our sources, Dr. Rachel Vassar, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
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Dr. Rachel Vassar's specialties are vascular neurology and pediatric neurology. She graduated from Boston University School of Medicine and then she performed her residency at a hospital affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She is especially interested in stroke. Dr. Vassar seems to honor several insurance carriers, including Blue Shield, Health Net, and Anthem. Her professional affiliations include UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals and Hill Physicians.
