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.
"Clopidogre" ("Plavix") is often prescribed in order to prevent another stroke from occurring and decreases the ability of the blood to clot.
"Dipyridamole" including "Persantine" and "Aggrenox" is a stronger form of blood thinner that combines aspirin and dipyridamole and is typically prescribed to prevent a stroke or TIA.
"Ticlopidine" ("Ticlid") is also another antiplatelet drug that is used to prevent a second stroke.
Anticoagulants for Stroke Prevention Anticoagulants are blood thinners are typically prescribed first after a patient has had a stroke and work in such a manner as to prevent the formation of blood clots.
Heparin is an anticoagulant that is given when a patient is hospitalized to reduce the risk of stroke or blood clots from forming in the veins of the legs and is also sometimes given to patients who are experiencing a stroke in order to reduce further damage from occurring.
Heparin is not given orally and is only given intravenously or by injection (sub-cutaneously).
Warfarin is also an anticoagulant that is typically prescribed to be taken on a daily basis in order to reduce a patient's risk of having a stroke and is commonly prescribed for individuals who have "AF" or "atrial fibrillation" which is a heart condition that increases the risk of having a stroke.
Thrombolytic Therapy Thrombolytics are drugs that are sometimes utilized used when a patient is admitted to the hospital at the onset of a stroke as it works in such a manner as to break up the blood clot that is causing a disruption in the blood flow to the brain.
This medication is the most effective if the patient has reached the hospital within three hours from the onset of the symptoms of a stroke.
Thrombolytic therapy may not be an option for some patients and a physician make this determination based on several factors including the amount of time between the onset of symptoms and when the patient has reached the hospital, therefore, it is essential that if you or a loved show any warning signs associated with a stroke that you seek emergency medical attention as soon as possible.