TAKING ASPIRIN AFTER STROKE  [ back to What's New ]
Stroke kills 160,000 Americans a year and is the leading cause of disability in adults. 80% of strokes are "ischemic" and result from a blocked blood vessel, while just 20% are hemmorhagic (due to a burst vessel). The clot busting drug TPA helps only when given within 3 hours of a stroke, and as a practical matter is hard to access because you have to get to a hospital in time. Recent research shows that taking a couple of aspirin right after an ischemic stroke improves outcomes better than any other remedy. Stroke may manifest itself by sudden onset of severe headache, dizziness, blurred vision or slurred speech. Anyone who thinks he has suffered a stroke should call 911. If you cannot get to a hospital within 3 hours of a stroke to receive TPA, it makes sense to take a couple of aspirin, which could save your life.