A much anticipated clinical study which has taken years to complete was published in the New England Journal of Medicine yesterday. Some people have a small hole known as a patent foramen ovale (PFO) between two chambers of the heart. This defect, although not rare, is recognized as a cause of stroke in some cases. … Read more
A new study shows that women who consume chocolate regularly had a reduced risk of stroke. The data was derived from a group of over 33,000 women in Sweden being followed for a mammography study. Those reporting higher intake; equivalent to two chocolate bars a week, had a significantly reduced risk of stroke. Women without … Read more
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has stopped a stroke prevention study prior to completion. This is the second study this year which has been halted early by its data safety monitoring board (DSMB). Medical studies have a board which monitors the study to determine whether there are any problems, or whether the … Read more
On July 1, the FDA approved rivaroxaban (Xarelto), an oral once daily anticoagulant for prevention of deep vein thrombosis in patients undergoing knee or hip replacement surgery. This is the second new oral anticoagulant approved within the past year, after over 50 years with warfarin (Coumadin) as the only choice. The drug is approved for … Read more
A recently published study suggests that consuming olive oil may prevent stroke in older people. The study, published in the journal Neurology, looked at 7,625 people aged 65 or older in three French cities over a period of five years. After considering diet, physical activity, body mass index and other risk factors for stroke, the … Read more
