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Stroke Prevention

A stroke occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, either by a clot (ischaemic stroke, accounting for around 80% of cases) or a burst blood vessel. Stroke prevention focuses on reducing the factors that make clotting or bleeding more likely, particularly in people who have already had a stroke, a mini-stroke (TIA), or conditions such as atrial fibrillation.

Medicine used to treat Stroke Prevention

Rivaroxaban

Rivaroxaban

10 · 15 · 20mg

Rivaroxaban 10, 15 and 20 mg tablets, an anticoagulant for deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and stroke prevention, the ingredient in Xarelto.

FromUS$0.85/ tabletView

Key points

  • A clot blocking an artery or a burst vessel can cut off blood supply to the brain, so prevention targets clotting and bleeding risk.
  • In atrial fibrillation the main danger is a heart clot reaching the brain, and apixaban lowers that risk by blocking Factor Xa.
  • FAST warning signs, drooping face, arm weakness or slurred speech, need urgent treatment within minutes, and the same urgency applies after a TIA.

Anticoagulants and why they matter

For people with atrial fibrillation, the main threat is a clot forming in the heart and travelling to the brain. Anticoagulants lower this risk substantially. Apixaban is a direct oral anticoagulant that works by blocking Factor Xa, a key step in the clotting cascade, and requires no routine blood monitoring. It sits within the broader range of heart and blood pressure treatments used in long-term stroke prevention.

Knowing when to seek urgent help

Stroke symptoms come on suddenly: face drooping on one side, arm weakness, or slurred speech require emergency care within minutes, not hours. Anyone with these signs should call the local emergency number immediately. The same applies after a TIA, which carries a high short-term risk of a full stroke and warrants same-day medical review.

Further reading

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