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My Father Is Aged 75 Years And He Had A
Question: My father is aged 75 years and he had a minor ischemic stroke(thalamic infarct) 3 months back and he is fully recovered now. He has been given the following medications to prevent the recurrent strokes. Amlong to keep the blood pressure in check. Clopitab 75 mg as an antiplatelet therapy to prevent blood clots. Tonact 10mg to reduce triglycerides. Now since he is feeling healthy, he is adamant about discontinuing all of these medications. Does discontinuing all of these suddenly pose any risk?
Brief Answer:
Follow up Thalamic stroke
Detailed Answer:
Hi....
Welcome to Ask a doctor.
I am Dr Ajeet XXXXXXX
Unfortunately ....he will be at risk for another stroke (chances are increased manyfold) if he discontinues the of drugs.
There are two types of stroke.One is haemorrhagic which is caused by intracranial bleed and another is ischemic where the blood supply of part of the brain gets disrupted due to a infarct.
To keep the blood in an extra liquidity state and to prevent thrombus formation,antiplatelet agents like aspirin and clopidogrel are given.As he already has a history of ischemic stroke hence he is at risk of re infarction.
Hypertension and dyslipidaemia (hypercholesterolaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia) are major risk factors for stroke.With increasing age,the blood vessels harden,there is lipid deposited in the vessels thus decreasing the lumen ,increasing the BP and stagnating the flow.This predisposed to thrombosis.Hence he should continue with his anti hypertensive drug(Amlong)and statins(Tonact).
Hope that I have answered your query.
Regards.
Follow up Thalamic stroke
Detailed Answer:
Hi....
Welcome to Ask a doctor.
I am Dr Ajeet XXXXXXX
Unfortunately ....he will be at risk for another stroke (chances are increased manyfold) if he discontinues the of drugs.
There are two types of stroke.One is haemorrhagic which is caused by intracranial bleed and another is ischemic where the blood supply of part of the brain gets disrupted due to a infarct.
To keep the blood in an extra liquidity state and to prevent thrombus formation,antiplatelet agents like aspirin and clopidogrel are given.As he already has a history of ischemic stroke hence he is at risk of re infarction.
Hypertension and dyslipidaemia (hypercholesterolaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia) are major risk factors for stroke.With increasing age,the blood vessels harden,there is lipid deposited in the vessels thus decreasing the lumen ,increasing the BP and stagnating the flow.This predisposed to thrombosis.Hence he should continue with his anti hypertensive drug(Amlong)and statins(Tonact).
Hope that I have answered your query.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Thank you doctor.
I know I asking a difficult /inappropriate question. Do you have any thoughts or suggestions on how to convince the stubborn patients and make them continue the medication? My father is stubborn that with proper exercise and life style modifications, he can reverse the condition and drugs are no more needed.
I know I asking a difficult /inappropriate question. Do you have any thoughts or suggestions on how to convince the stubborn patients and make them continue the medication? My father is stubborn that with proper exercise and life style modifications, he can reverse the condition and drugs are no more needed.
Brief Answer:
Follow up Thalamic stroke
Detailed Answer:
That's right.It's difficult to convince patients in geriatric age group who are stubborn and have their own whims and fancies.
It is better to get counselling services for him.They are quite effective in changing the thought process and would help him to ease out and to convince him.
You can sit with him,discuss the disease cascade and risks associated with the discontinuation of drugs.
He can continue his dietary and life style modifications but try to convince him to continue follow ups with the clinician and prescribed medications,at least for an year(it can be extended later).
You can take him to a neurology ICU or high dependency unit and show him that how many stroke patients lie there in miserable condition.They are being tube fed, urine is getting passed in catheter tubes and are dependent on others to clean their motion and change their position. Some are on supplementary oxygen/Mechanical ventilation and some develop bedsores.This will definitely have an impact.
All the very best.
Regards.
Follow up Thalamic stroke
Detailed Answer:
That's right.It's difficult to convince patients in geriatric age group who are stubborn and have their own whims and fancies.
It is better to get counselling services for him.They are quite effective in changing the thought process and would help him to ease out and to convince him.
You can sit with him,discuss the disease cascade and risks associated with the discontinuation of drugs.
He can continue his dietary and life style modifications but try to convince him to continue follow ups with the clinician and prescribed medications,at least for an year(it can be extended later).
You can take him to a neurology ICU or high dependency unit and show him that how many stroke patients lie there in miserable condition.They are being tube fed, urine is getting passed in catheter tubes and are dependent on others to clean their motion and change their position. Some are on supplementary oxygen/Mechanical ventilation and some develop bedsores.This will definitely have an impact.
All the very best.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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