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  |  General Health  |  Diseases and conditions  |  Strokes explained
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Strokes explained

continued from page 8
Treatment of stroke
The type of treatment you receive depends on the type of stroke you suffered and how long it has been since onset of the stroke. The three phases of treatment for stroke are prevention, therapy immediately after stroke and post-stroke rehabilitation. Therapies for stroke include medications, surgery and rehabilitation.

Medications
There are numerous drugs that may be prescribed in cases of stroke. Some are used to prevent complications, some to treat the direct effects of the stroke and others to reduce the known risk factors for stroke:

  • Aspirin, or other 'antiplatelet' medicines, may be given to reduce the 'stickiness' of blood. This type of medication is usually used in the prevention of strokes.
  • Anticoagulant, or blood thinning medicines, reduce stroke risk by lowering the clotting property of blood. The most commonly used anticoagulants include warfarin and heparin. They are used especially where there is a risk of embolism.
  • Thrombolytic agents, or 'clot-busters,' are being assessed for use in stroke patients. They are known to help after heart attacks and have been used after cerebral thromboses but their use in such strokes is not yet routine. They must not be used if the stroke is haemorrhagic as they make the bleeding worse.
  • Antihypertensive drugs are widely used in the prevention of strokes in those who have been found to have a raised blood pressure.
  • Drugs may be used to lower blood cholesterol levels.


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    This iVillage Health service area is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical attention, diagnosis or hands-on treatment. If you are concerned about your health or that of a child, please consult your family's health provider immediately and do not wait for a response from our professionals. For the full Disclaimer, click here.
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