News on Stroke

News on Stroke

A stroke is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. As a result, the affected area of the brain is unable to function, which can lead to the inability to move one or more limbs on one side of the body, the inability to understand or formulate speech or not being able to see one side of the visual field.  Symptoms typically start suddenly, and depend on the area of the brain affected. The larger the area of brain affected, the more functions that are likely to be lost.

Strokes can be classified into two major categories — ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemia is the interruption of the blood supply, while hemorrhage is the rupture of a blood vessel or an abnormal vascular structure. The majority of strokes are ischemic

03/04/2010 - News

Losing Weight Can Reverse Carotid Artery Disease

Carotid artery disease, or narrowing of the blood vessels in the neck, is caused by the buildup of cholesterol and fatty deposits. Carotid artery disease can lead to complete blockage of the blood vessel and an increased risk for stroke. According to research published online March 1, 2010 in the journal Circulation, two-year weight loss diets can induce reversal of carotid artery disease. Read more

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03/01/2010 - News

New Study Shows High Risk of Recurrent Stroke

According to a new study published in the February 16, 2010 issue of Neurology, the rates of recurrent stroke, heart attack, and death increase during the first 4 years after hospitalization for stroke. Read more

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02/15/2010 - News

Chocolate May Lower Stroke Risk

Previous research has shown varying effects of chocolate consumption on the risk for heart disease. A team of Canadian researchers has reported that eating more chocolate may be linked to a lower risk for stroke and stroke-related death. Read more

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02/08/2010 - News

Antidepressant May Be Useful for Stroke Patients

Escitalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor typically used to treat depression. Now, it seems that escitalopram may be useful in stroke, as well.  According to a new study published in the February 2010 issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, researchers from the University of Iowa report that escitalopram seems to improve cognitive recovery in stroke patients. Read more

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12/23/2009 - News

No Proven Cardiac Benefit for Aspirin in Diabetes

People with diabetes are at a high risk for cardiovascular disease.Most major medical society guidelines recommend aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular events in people with diabetes. Read more

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11/24/2009 - News

US Cholesterol Levels May Be Improving

Lowering cholesterol can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Studies show that, in the United States, a large percentage of adults with high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol are untreated or undertreated. In the November 18, 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers report that the number of U.S. adults with high LDL cholesterol decreased from 1999-2000 to 2005-2006. Read more

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11/17/2009 - News

Infections May Increase Stroke Risk

Infections may increase stroke risk by causing inflammation of the blood vessels, according to a study published online November 9, 2009 in the journal Archives of Neurology. This study suggests a possible new stroke risk factor that can be modified. Read more

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07/24/2009 - News

New link between air pollution and stroke

Hourly air pollution rates affect stroke risk, according to new research.It is already known that daily levels of increased particulate air pollution have an adverse impact on lung and heart disease. Read more

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07/16/2009 - News

Intensive Blood Pressure Lowering Provides No Benefit

The standard target for blood pressure in patients with hypertension is 140/90 mm Hg. In recent years, guidelines issues by hypertension experts have trended toward lower blood pressure targets based on the assumption that intensive lower of blood pressure will reduce heart attack and stroke. Read more

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06/30/2009 - News

Combination of Aspirin and Dipyridamole Improves Stroke Prevention

Aspirin is used to help prevent transient ischemic attack (TIA), or mini-stroke, and recurrent stroke in patients who have already experienced a stroke. According to a study published in the November issue of the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, a combination of aspirin and another medication called dipyridamole is more effective than aspirin alone in the secondary prevention of TIA or stroke. Read more

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