Stroke
Types of stroke
There are two main types of stroke. Most strokes are ischemic, meaning they result from a blockage, usually a clot, in an artery leading to the brain. Hemorrhagic strokes are less common and occur when a vessel ruptures, causing blood to leak into the brain.
Did You Know?
While rehabilitation following a stroke is an important part of recovery, taking PLAVIX as prescribed by your doctor may help reduce your risk for another stroke.
What causes most strokes?
All of us develop plaque—a buildup of cholesterol and other materials—in the walls of our arteries. Over time, plaque can restrict the flow of oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. Plaque also may rupture, causing platelets to clump together on or near the plaque, forming a clot that limits or completely stops the flow of blood to various parts of the body. If a clot forms in an artery leading to the brain, a stroke can occur. Heart-related chest pain (unstable angina) or a heart attack can result if a clot forms in an artery supplying blood to the heart.
Could PLAVIX help reduce your risk? Get a customizable list of questions to bring to your doctor.
Your future risk
It's important to know that having a stroke increases your risk of having another stroke or even a heart attack. That's because what ultimately causes most heart attacks and strokes is clotting. Platelets in the blood stick together forming clots that can reduce the flow of blood to the heart or brain—that is when a heart attack or stroke may occur. PLAVIX works to help keep platelets in the blood from sticking together and forming clots. This helps keep blood flowing more easily, raising protection against another stroke or heart attack.
Compared to the general population, people who have had a stroke may have:
- Up to a 9 times greater risk of having another stroke
- Up to a 2 times greater risk of having a heart attack
How do clots form?
Clot formation is a natural defense mechanism of the body to protect you from excessive bleeding in the case of an injury. When you cut yourself, particles in your blood, called platelets, stick together and form a clot. Clot formation can also be triggered by the rupture of plaque (a buildup of cholesterol and other materials) inside the walls of arteries. When platelets clump together on or near the plaque, they can form a clot that limits or completely stops the flow of blood to various parts of the body.
- Normal arteries are smooth and flexible, allowing oxygen-rich blood to flow through easily.
- Over time, certain factors cause cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other materials to collect in the arterial walls causing plaque. This plaque narrows the arteries and reduces the flow of blood.
- As blood flows through the narrowed artery, the plaque can rupture. This causes platelets in the blood to stick to the damaged area (similar to a scab on the skin) by clumping together and forming a clot.
- A clot can reduce or completely block the flow of blood through an artery. A clot in a brain artery can lead to a stroke. A clot in an artery supplying the heart can result in a heart attack or heart-related chest pain.
PLAVIX can help
If you've recently had a stroke, rehabilitation is an important part of helping to improve your physical abilities. Many stroke patients are left with a disability, but some recover completely or have only mild impairments. While rehabilitation is important, you are still at increased risk of a future stroke or heart attack.
PLAVIX is a prescription medicine recommended for people who have suffered from a recent stroke or recent heart attack or have been diagnosed with peripheral artery disease, or P.A.D. (poor circulation in the legs).* PLAVIX helps keep platelets from sticking together and forming clots. This enables your blood to flow more easily, reducing the risk of stroke and even heart attack.
Always talk to your doctor before taking aspirin or other medicines with PLAVIX, especially if you've had a stroke.
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