How is a cerebrovascular accident treated?
Treatment of a CVA depends upon the type of stroke:Ischemic stroke: An ischemic stroke includes strokes caused by a blockage in a blood vessel.Anticoagulant medicine: Treatment for an ischemic stroke includes anticoagulant medicines which are also called blood thinners. This medicine group keeps clots from forming in the blood.Antiplatelet aggregating medicine:These medicines interact with platelets to prevent blood clots from forming. Platelets are a type of blood cell that join to form clots.Thrombolytic medicine: This medicine group is used in a stroke caused by a clot in a blood vessel. Thrombolytics break apart clots and restore blood flow.Hemorrhagic (bleed) stroke: This type of stroke may require surgery.
Can a cerebrovascular accident be prevented?
Take your high blood pressure medicine regularly.Do not smoke or drink too much alcohol. Alcohol is found in beer, wine, liquor, like vodka or whiskey, and other adult drinks. Different people have different ideas about what too much means. It is important to remember that how often you drink is as important as how much you drink.If you have atrial fibrillation (an irregular or fast heart beat), you may need to take antithrombotic medicine. Having a recent heart attack may also require you to take antithrombotics.Keep your blood cholesterol level in a normal range. Eat foods low in fat to decrease the risk of developing plaque (fatty deposits) in your blood vessels. If you have hyperlipidemia (high blood cholesterol level), talk to your caregiver about ways to lower it.Monitor and control your blood sugar level if you have diabetes.