Stroke Prevention

[Randy & Robyn]

My dad had a stroke 17 years ago that he recovered from. He had another one this morning that we are hoping and praying he survives.

Ischemic strokes run in my family. My grandfather, grandmother and aunt on my dad's side all died from them. All were a result of occlusion of the carotid arteries.

My question is, would being on coumadin help to prevent such strokes when I am older?

Randy

 

[geebee]

Randy,

So sorry to hear about your dad. I will add him to my prayer list.

As far as coumadin helping, it depends on the "makeup" of what is causing the strokes. If the strokes are caused by "tissue" breaking off and lodging in the arteries, I don't think coumadin would help. If the strokes are from actual blood clots, coumadin would probably help but your father's neurologist would probably be the person to ask for sure.

Take care and God bless.

 

[Karlynn]

Randy,
So sorry to hear about your Dad. He has my prayers.

 

[RCB]

Very sad

Very sad

My heart goes out to your father. Strokes can be much worse than OHS.
I have heard that warfarin offers some protection against certain types of strokes, but puts one at a higher risks for others. Your need to find out exactly what type of stroke your father had and I'm sure Al can answer all your questions. Take care.

 

[Guest]

Sorry for the bad news.

Warfarin is not much good at preventing this type of stroke or a heart attack. The reason is that in occluded arteries blood is flowing under high pressure with high shear forces (think thumb over the end of the hose). Platelets start clots in these circumstances. Aspirin or platelets are more effective at preventing these clots.

In the leg, in a heart with atrial fibrillation, or a heart with a mechanical valve, the blood flow pattern is not natural. This causes little pools of stagnation of the bleed. Fibrin starts these clots. Warfarin is more effective at preventing this type of strokes.

 

[Abbanabba]

Sorry to hear about your dad Randy. I'll be sending best wishes his way.

Anna

 

[hensylee]

I am so sorry to hear of your dad's stroke. He and your family are in my prayers. You will keep us informed, won't you?

 

[Randy & Robyn]

Thank you, everyone, for your thoughts and prayers. I will let you know how it goes.

Randy

 

[catwoman]

Randy:

Your dad is in my prayers. Keep us posted.

 

[Nancy]

Randy-

So sorry to hear about your dad. I hope he has a good recovery.

Have you asked your doc about checking out your carotids, since it runs in the family? Surgery can be done to open them up in some cases, if they become occluded. When Joe was in the hospital there were several people there with vampire gashes on their necks, indicating this type of surgery.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Randy,

Your profile does NOT list aspirin under medications.

With your family history I would recommend talking with your cardiologist and/or PCP about starting daily aspirin therapy to minimize your stroke risk.

FWIW, I am on Coumadin and take 81mg of Enteric (coated) aspirin daily. Studies indicate that 81 mg daily is nearly as effective as full strength (325 mg) aspirin but less irritating to the stomach, especially if you take coated aspirin.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Guest]

There is a new procedure where they can put in stents in the carotid arteries.

 

[PapaHappyStar]

Best wishes to your dad for a good,speedy recovery.
All the best.
Burair

 

[Randy & Robyn]

I will bring up my concerns with my doctor, especially concerning aspirin therapy. I also am going to ask about having a carotid doppler test, perhaps even before my valve surgery. My cardiac cath showed my coronary arteries to be clear which is a good sign but it doesn't hurt to be sure.

My dad is making progress. He is alert and can move his left arm and leg, the side his stroke affected. It will be a long road to recovery considering he is 90 years old. But he has the spirit and a strong will to live. His therapists say he has a chance to regain most of his mobility. I know that faith and prayers can work miracles.

Randy

 

[tobagotwo]

Very sorry to hear about your dad's trouble. I'm glad he's picking up again.

Heck, no disrespect intended at all, but I'm just hoping to get to 90 to have a stroke...

I thoroughly agree with the aspirin therapy, having just read an abstract about aspirin's effectiveness for platelet-type stroke prevention. Plavix is another, but aspirin is certainly least concerning as a long-term drug.

Best wishes,

 

[Sherry]

Randy, my thoughts and prayers are with your father. Please keep us posted.

 

[hensylee]

Randy, I have a cousin who noticed some numbness on one side of her face. Dr went in and cleaned out her carotid artery and she is fine. This was about 10 yrs ago.

My dear Joe had a stroke when he was 52. It, too, was a one-sided stroke. The dr told me he would never be any better. He couldn't walk or speak. He went to rehab for a month and when he came home, his determination was so strong that he pretty quickly was driving, back to work, taking us dancing. He learned to write with his other hand. His speech was fine, too. There were always residuals from the stroke but he was able to live life as he always had, without much limitation.

I read a book written by a lady who was totally incapacitated. They told her that improvement only took place for two years. She wrote the book many years after her stroke and she was still improving. She, too, was living normally.

Take heart and don't always go by what 'everybody', including the dr, says about improvement. It can go on forever.