Stroke treatment continued
The goal of this post is to look more closely at the medications and other interventions we have talked about so far. Before we begin a quick note: This post is purely for informational purposes. It's not intended as medical advice. Always consult with healthcare professionals for clinical guidance.
Thrombolytic drugs: Thrombolytic drugs, such as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), dissolve blood clots and improve blood flow to the brain. tPA is most effective when given soon after the onset of ischemic stroke symptoms. The window for its use is generally within 4.5 hours of the onset of symptoms, but the sooner it's given, the better.
Aspirin: Aspirin is an anti-inflammatory drug that may be used to prevent blood clots and improve blood flow to the brain after a stroke. It can be used in the early stages of a stroke. However, it is crucial to ensure the stroke is ischemic (caused by a clot) and not hemorrhagic (caused by bleeding), as giving aspirin in a hemorrhagic stroke can worsen bleeding. Doctors may also prescribe a daily, low-dose aspirin for secondary prevention to help prevent another stroke.
Antiplatelet drugs: Antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel, dipyridamole, and ticagrelor prevent blood clots. They can be used to prevent future strokes.
Anticoagulant drugs: Blood clots and future strokes may also be prevented by using anticoagulants like warfarin. Warfarin, as well as newer anticoagulants like dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban, are primarily used for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation, a common heart arrhythmia associated with increased stroke risk. Anticoagulants are not typically used in the immediate aftermath of a stroke unless there's a specific indication.
Blood pressure medications: High blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke, and blood pressure medications may be used to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke. Controlling high blood pressure is essential in reducing the risk of both primary and secondary strokes. There are several classes of blood pressure medications, including ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics.
Statins: Statins are a class of drugs that are used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. High cholesterol is a major risk factor for stroke and lowering cholesterol levels can help to reduce the risk of stroke. Statins work by blocking an enzyme in the liver that is involved in the production of cholesterol. In addition to their cholesterol-lowering properties, statins also have other beneficial effects, such as reducing inflammation in the arteries.
Endovascular procedures: In certain cases of ischemic strokes caused by large vessel occlusions, doctors can perform endovascular procedures, like mechanical thrombectomy, where a catheter is threaded through the blood vessels to the clot to retrieve or dissolve it.
Surgery: For hemorrhagic strokes, surgical interventions like clot removal or repair of blood vessel abnormalities might be necessary.
Rehabilitation: Post-stroke rehabilitation is essential to help survivors regain lost skills or learn new ways of performing tasks. This includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, among others.
Lifestyle modifications: As we’ve mentioned before, these are crucial for stroke prevention and include a balanced diet, regular exercise, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol intake.
