Archive for June 23rd, 2010
Common Stroke Prevention Medications
June 23rd, 2010 | 
Author: A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is abruptly stopped due to a blockage within an artery or the bursting of a blood vessel that causes bleeding within the brain. When an individual has had a stroke or is considered as having a high risk factor for developing one, they are often prescribed medications in order to prevent an initial stroke from happening or another one from occurring.
High blood pressure or hypertension is considered the highest risk factor for having a stroke; therefore, high blood pressure medications are also given to patients who suffer from this condition in order to prevent a stroke.
Antiplatelet Drugs for Stroke Prevention
Antiplatelet drugs act in such a manner as to prevent the platelets within the blood from clumping which prevents the formation of blood clots. These medications include aspirin which is commonly prescribed for patients who have had a stroke or a “TIA” or “transient ischemic attack” which is when a patient has experienced symptoms that are stroke-like for less than a period of twenty four hours.