Treating And Preventing Cerebrovascular Disease

Tissue Plasminogen Activator

Tissue plasminogen activator is considered a gold standard in stroke treatment. The FDA has approved this treatment for ischemic strokes. If the treatment is administered promptly, it can mitigate the stroke's long-term effects and save the lives of patients. The drug is administered through an IV and dissolves the clot causing the blockage of blood flow. This then allows blood to flow freely back to the oxygen-starved part of the brain. The treatment must be used within the first three hours following the stroke to be effective. Certain patients may improve up to four and a half hours after a stroke. In many cases, patients wait too long to go to the hospital, and they lose the ability to receive this vital treatment. This is why stroke recognition is so important.

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Blood Platelet Inhibitors

Blood platelet inhibitors are medications that prevent clots from forming. A blood clot forms when platelets in the blood stick together and create a clump, which can then block veins and arteries. When the blocked blood vessel is supposed to supply blood to the brain, it can lead to stroke and other cerebrovascular events. A blood platelet inhibiting medication will work during the clotting part of bleeding and prevent the platelets from adhering. Therefore, clots won't form. The antiplatelet medication most commonly used is acetylsalicylic acid. This medication is so vital in many cardiovascular health regimens because it keeps arteries from becoming clogged, which can prevent heart attacks and strokes.

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