After a stroke, tPA (tissue plasminogen activator), also known as a clot buster, offers the most effective acute treatment.

Women with a common abnormal heartbeat condition called atrial fibrillation are at a greater risk of stroke even if they take anticoagulants to lower their risk. This was especially true for women over the age of 75.

Patients with certain types of atrial fibrillation, a common heart arrhythmia, are at a high risk of stroke and blood clots if they temporarily stop their blood thinning medication before surgery or permanently because of side effects.

Prior to its approval last year, there was much debate about Xarelto ( rivaroxaban ), an anti-clotting drug designed to prevent stroke among patients with atrial fibrillation, a common heart arrhythmia.