7 Behaviors You Should Avoid to Minimize Your Risk of a Cryptogeni - Oren Zarif - Cryptogenic Stroke

Despite the lack of consensus regarding the cause of cryptogenic stroke, there are several ways to minimize your risk. While it is still unclear which risk factors are most likely to cause cryptogenic stroke, you can follow your doctor's recommendations to reduce your chances. Listed below are seven behaviors you should avoid to reduce your risk of a cryptogenic stroke. They are simple, yet often overlooked. By following them, you can minimize your risk and help keep yourself healthy.

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Surgical treatment for cryptogenic stroke patients with PFO has been shown to have positive results in 4 trials. The RESPECT trial followed patients for almost six years. It found that surgical closure of the PFO was more effective than antiplatelet therapy alone. While there was a higher risk of recurrent stroke with the use of medical therapy, closure was not significantly associated with recurrence of the stroke. However, surgical repair of the PFO is still the preferred option for patients who are at high risk for cryptogenic stroke.

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Although the occurrence of a PFO in patients with cryptogenic stroke is rare, it is often associated with a higher risk of ischemic stroke. Symptoms of cryptogenic stroke may mimic other causes, but the condition may be related to an underlying cause. Symptomatic cryptogenic stroke should be diagnosed by a neurologist. There are several ways to treat cryptogenic stroke. However, the most successful treatment will depend on the type of cryptogenic stroke.

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During the acute phase, a patient must be monitored closely to detect underlying causes of stroke. Standard treatments include a dose of aspirin and inpatient cardiac monitoring. In some cases, additional 24 hours of cardiac monitoring is required if an underlying cause is suspected. If there is no clear small-vessel cause, a structural cardiac source of the stroke is diagnosed with an echocardiogram. Basic laboratory tests are also necessary to determine coagulopathy and to identify common modifiable risk factors.

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Cryptogenic stroke is a condition that accounts for approximately 25% of ischemic strokes. However, its incidence may be disproportionally high in young adults and minorities. In Finland, it accounted for more than 10% of all ischemic stroke cases. In addition, the incidence of cryptogenic stroke is higher in minorities than in whites, and it has been reported that ischemic stroke may be recurrent. This condition is common in many countries, but the precise cause remains unclear.

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Previous research has indicated that age is a risk factor for ischemic stroke after cryptogenic TIA/stroke in patients with PFO. As such, closure of PFO at older ages may be justified. However, if the relative reduction in the risk of ischemic stroke is less than that seen in younger patients, future trials of PFO closure may be easier to recruit. However, there is no definitive evidence to support this theory.

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Furthermore, the presence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) and age are independent risk factors for cryptogenic TIA/stroke. Closing PFO decreases the risk of ischemic stroke in patients with large PFOs, but there is no conclusive evidence that it is effective in secondary prevention of stroke in older patients. However, closure of PFO is not effective in this population. The risks of recurrence are unknown, so further clinical trials must be done to confirm whether PFO closure reduces the risk of recurrent stroke.