Pharmaceutical Strategies to Prevent, Treat, and Recover: Advances and Challenges in Ischemic Stroke and Hemorrhagic Stroke

Book excerpt: Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Among them, ischemic stroke is attributed to an abrupt blockage of blood flow to brain, while hemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding into brain. The principal aim of stroke therapy is to decrease mortality and reduce persistent neurologic injury and long-term disability. It also targets to prevent complications and recurrence after stroke as well as minimize the brain function loss caused by the cerebral damage. Fortunately, many strokes could be prevented through healthy lifestyle changes and controlling stroke risk factors, such as cigarette or tobacco smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Carotid endarterectomy and stenting of the cervical and intracranial vessels may help reduce recurrent stroke in some cases. Advanced treatments and rehabilitation are helping many stroke patients return to society and their families.