Blood thinners are a mixed blessing for patients. On one hand, they can prevent strokes. But on the other, they can cause serious bleeding during surgery.

Levels of stroke care can often be dependent on a patient’s age. When it comes to aggressive post-stroke therapy, however, older patients may have just as much to gain as younger ones.

The number of stroke cases are not only increasing, the related costs are skyrocketing. While an aging population is at the core of the problem, stroke education may help avert a crisis.

Maintaining good mental health has been shown to protect cardiovascular health. For middle-aged women, controlling depression may play a key role in preventing stroke.

Days or even weeks after a stroke, some patients experience intense pain. Medications and magnetic or electrical stimulation can help, but doctors often fail to correctly diagnose the condition.

Unless you’re among that seeming handful of workers who keep their Zen-like attitude no matter what, routine workday stresses can leave you feeling undone.

If you have a stroke, you need to get to a hospital fast and receive therapy that will minimize damage to the brain. An ambulance may be quickest, but not all patients are calling EMS for help.

Residents of the southeastern “stroke belt” may begin developing a higher risk of stroke death at an early age. Healthy habits started as a teen may be key to lowering later stroke risk.

Many people have been told by physicians to improve their lifestyle choices – quit smoking, eat better, exercise – especially if there has been a history of health problems. The question is, how many people actually follow through and make these changes?

Margaret Thatcher, the first and only female British Prime Minister, has died after suffering a stroke. She was 87.