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Recurrent Stroke Risks
Preventing another stroke is a priority in Steve’s treatment. He has many risk factors that we can control and some we can’t. Read more about Risk Factors. Maintaining a healthy blood pressure is paramount, which still proves to be a struggle. It’s been averaging around 164/96, and it should be no greater than 120/80. This higher BP puts him at a 10 times greater risk for a recurrent stroke. We’re trying a number of different meds to help reduce his BP and to see which ones can be tolerated. Right now he’s taking Atenolol, Furosemide (lasix), Minitran Patch (nitro patch), and nitroglycerine, but they’re not enough.
Another risk is the atrial fibrillation (AF). We have been told that in Steve’s case, there is nothing that can stop the AF, but there are drugs that can prevent it from forming blood clots. There are many factors that need to be considered, and so many drug therapies that are available. But not all of them are good for him. A number of new drugs Steve has tried since his stroke has caused serious side-effects. Some of these side-effects are so rare that the doctors don’t believe the drugs were causing them.
Several doctors are upset with me and have become indignant because I question their treatment and the drugs they want him to take. But after researching them, I have had so much unrest in my heart about Steve taking them, and I have to trust my instinct. There’s a verse in the Bible that says, “The peace of God shall guard your heart and mind.” If I don’t have peace about something, there’s a reason for it. Another verse says, “It’s better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”
After reading an article on Anti-Clotting Agents in StrokeConnection Magazine, I am convinced that I am doing the right thing by taking Steve’s health into my own hands instead of trusting the doctors to do so. Steve’s treatment is unique to him, so I do not suggest that you copy it. But you do have a right to question treatment of your loved ones, and if you don’t have peace about it, do some research on your own.