Stroke ranks as one of the leading causes of death and the most common cause of permanent disability in adults in Korea. Timely recognition and treatment is imperative to reduce stroke-related morbidity and mortality. Patients with acute ischemic stroke should be evaluated for intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator (rt-PA); antiplatelet drugs can be administered to those who do not qualify for rt-PA therapy. Adequate hydration and correction of possible hypoxia are necessary, and hyperglycemia and fever should be treated aggressively. Blood pressure management should be individualized on the basis of stroke pathophysiology. It is important to prevent and manage complications of acute stroke, such as pneumonia, urinary tract infection, bed sore, deep vein thrombosis, and joint contracture. Meticulous evaluation of etiology of ischemic stroke can determine the most appropriate acute management and would guide the secondary prevention of stroke.