, cerebral haemorrhages or thrombosis: not surprisingly, the stroke is closely related to the formation or detachment of thrombi (blood clots in the veins) or, even worse, to the rupture of an artery (haemorrhage).
Among the risk factors we remember: smoking habit, alcoholism, atherosclerosis, hypertension, male sex.
, followed by aphasia, impaired vision, weakness, difficulty walking, swallowing and understanding, tingling, inability to move a limb, numbness, loss of balance, uncoordinated movements, fainting, dizziness.
Complications include: coma, total paralysis, death.
For further information: Stroke Symptoms , do not drink alcohol and eat a balanced diet associated with constant exercise - and, when necessary, taking medications to control diseases such as hypertension and atherosclerosis which, as analyzed, could promote stroke.
Given the seriousness of the stroke, it is necessary to emphasize the importance of controlling blood pressure: keeping blood pressure within standard values is very important to escape from this serious condition; not surprisingly, this rule is part of primary prevention. To avoid increases in blood pressure, it is not enough to take antihypertensive drugs: it is essential, in fact, to follow a balanced diet, low in salt and free from excesses, to practice sports and, of course, to avoid a sedentary lifestyle.
If the drugs to prevent and treat stroke are not sufficient (analyzed in the next paragraph), it is possible to proceed with non-pharmacological therapies:
- Carotid endarterectomy: consists in the removal of plaques, indicated to reduce the risk of ischemic stroke.
- Ventriculostomy: s "inserts a small tube inside the skull to drain excess fluid, responsible for the swelling.
- Stent angioplasty.
- Damaged blood vessel repair surgery (for hemorrhagic stroke).
- Isolation of the damaged artery from the bloodstream.
- Embolization of the aneurysm.
- Surgical removal of the clot.
PLEASE NOTE
Information on stroke medications is not intended to replace the direct relationship between a health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking any medications or products of any kind.
Some of the drugs most commonly used in stroke therapy are listed below; however, it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and dosage for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the state of health of the patient and his response to treatment.
Thrombolytics
Among the thrombolytics that can be used in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke we mention the alteplase. This active principle acts by dissolving the pathological thrombus causing the stroke, therefore it is used (like all thrombolytics for that matter) to eliminate the thrombus already formed.
Emergency therapy with thrombolytics must be started within 4-5 hours of the onset of the stroke. It should be emphasized, however, that taking these drugs cannot increase the chances of survival but can avoid sudden complications.
Antiplatelet and Anticoagulants
These drugs are used to hinder blood clots and to make the blood thinner. They are used as prevention in people at risk of having a stroke or in people who have already experienced one to prevent it from recurring (secondary prevention).
Among the antiplatelet agents that can be used, we remember:
- The clopidogrel;
- The dipyridamole;
- L "acetylsalicylic acid (at the appropriate dosages);
- Ticlopidine.
Among the anticoagulants we find, however:
- Warfarin (used to reduce the risk of stroke in patients who have suffered a heart attack);
- Rivaroxaban (it is a direct inhibitor of factor Xa belonging to the group of so-called NAOs or New Oral Anticoagulants).
Other Drugs
Among the other drugs that the doctor may decide to prescribe in the case of stroke in the field of prevention, we find:
- ACE inhibitors such as ramipril (indicated to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with previous coronary haptology, stroke or vascular and pivotal diseases).
- Sartans such as losartan and telmisartan.
- Statins to treat too high cholesterol levels in patients at risk for stroke.
We reiterate once again that the choice of drug therapy to be administered to the patient with stroke or who is at risk of stroke rests solely and exclusively with the doctor. Therefore, it is recommended to carefully follow all the indications provided by this health professional. If in doubt, contact it again.
More articles on Stroke
- Stroke - Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention
- Stroke - Causes and Types of Stroke
- Stroke - Symptoms, Signs and Complications
