Any patient who has suffered a stroke or TIA is at increased risk for suffering stroke in the future. Stroke-preventative medications help prevent clot formation. The most common medications are anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents. These medications are particularly effective for patients who are at risk of strokes related to emboli from the heart. Antiplatelet agents prevent or reduce the occurrence of platelet aggregation.
Platelets are small elements of the blood that can clump together and initiate blood clot formation.
Antiplatelet agents, such as aspirin, reduce the risk of clot formation. The most common surgical therapy for stroke prevention is carotid endarterectomy. During this procedure, atherosclerotic plaque is removed from the carotid artery in the neck. Different brain areas control different regions of the body and specific brain functions. For instance, if the left hemisphere of the brain is damaged by stroke, most of the effects will occur on the right side of the body.