Northerner
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A ?new generation? drug that dramatically cuts the risk of stroke for people with a common type of heart palpitation has been given the green light for prescription on the NHS.
At least a million mainly elderly people in Britain have a heart condition called atrial fibrillation (AF), in which the chambers do not beat in synch, causing blood to pool inside and clot.
These clots can get washed out of the heart and become lodged in neck or brain blood vessels, causing a devastating stroke.
Having AF increases the chance of stroke fivefold, according to the Stroke Association, and those it causes tend to be more debilitating than normal.
Most people diagnosed with AF are currently prescribed warfarin, a blood thinner used since the 1950s that was originally developed as rat poison.
Warfarin cuts the risk of stroke by two-thirds, but patients have to undergo regular blood tests to ensure the dosage is correct. Too much warfarin can cause excessive bleeding. Drinking alcohol, eating broccoli and taking other medicines can also affect its action.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/elderhealth/9819445/New-anti-stroke-drug-available-on-NHS.html
At least a million mainly elderly people in Britain have a heart condition called atrial fibrillation (AF), in which the chambers do not beat in synch, causing blood to pool inside and clot.
These clots can get washed out of the heart and become lodged in neck or brain blood vessels, causing a devastating stroke.
Having AF increases the chance of stroke fivefold, according to the Stroke Association, and those it causes tend to be more debilitating than normal.
Most people diagnosed with AF are currently prescribed warfarin, a blood thinner used since the 1950s that was originally developed as rat poison.
Warfarin cuts the risk of stroke by two-thirds, but patients have to undergo regular blood tests to ensure the dosage is correct. Too much warfarin can cause excessive bleeding. Drinking alcohol, eating broccoli and taking other medicines can also affect its action.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/elderhealth/9819445/New-anti-stroke-drug-available-on-NHS.html
