|
|
On average, someone in the United States has a stroke about every 40 seconds. This is about 795,000 people per year.
When blood is exposed to air, it clots. Heparin allows the blood to come in direct contact with air without clotting.
Most strokes are caused when blood clots move to a blood vessel in the brain and block blood flow to that area. Thrombolytic therapy can be used to dissolve the clot quickly. If given within 3 hours of the first stroke symptoms, this therapy can help limit stroke damage and disability.
Sildenafil (Viagra®) has two actions that may be of consequence in patients with heart disease. It can lower the blood pressure, and it can interact with nitrates. It should never be used in patients who are taking nitrates.
Eat fiber! A diet high in fiber can help lower cholesterol levels by as much as 10%.