Does cerebral infarction require long-term medication?

Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
Updated on March 29, 2025
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Patients with cerebral infarction need to take medication long term. Generally, patients with cerebral infarction have underlying diseases such as cerebral arteriosclerosis and hyperlipidemia, or hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia. Therefore, cerebral infarction patients need long-term medication to control blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar. Additionally, they should take antiplatelet drugs to prevent new thrombus formation and drugs to combat arteriosclerosis to prevent the worsening of cerebral arteriosclerosis and cerebral vascular stenosis. The focus of treatment is also on preventing other blood vessels from blocking, which could lead to a recurrence or worsening of cerebral infarction. Thus, patients with cerebral infarction need long-term medication and regular check-ups during the medication period, including blood tests and liver and kidney function tests, to monitor for any drug-induced liver or kidney damage. If no damage is apparent, they generally need to continue taking medication long-term. (Please take medication under the guidance of a professional physician.)

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Stroke rehabilitation exercise

In the early stages of a stroke, for bedridden patients, passive limb exercises can be conducted at the bedside. This includes joint loosening exercises and passive flexing of knee and elbow joints to prevent joint contractures. When not exercising, proper limb positioning is needed; sandbags can be placed on the inside of the upper limbs to avoid internal rotation, and the legs should be placed in stiff cloth shoes or T-bar shoes to prevent external rotation. Once the patient enters the recovery phase, they can gradually begin standing and walking exercises, while also receiving treatments such as medications, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and acupuncture. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Treatment of Cerebral Infarction

As society ages, the incidence of cerebral infarction is also increasingly higher, making rational treatment extremely important. Generally, the treatments for cerebral infarction include the following methods: The first point is intravenous thrombolysis, which is a very important treatment plan. If patients can reach the hospital within the thrombolysis time window and are assessed by a neurologist as having no contraindications, they can undergo intravenous thrombolysis treatment, from which many patients benefit. Second, with the advancement of medicine, some patients can also undergo interventional surgery for arterial thrombectomy. Third, the treatment for most patients mainly involves the use of antiplatelet drugs and statins. Additionally, medications that clear free radicals and protect brain cells are provided, along with scientifically-based rehabilitation training.

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Can people who have had a cerebral infarction eat mutton?

Patients with cerebral infarction can appropriately consume mutton, but it depends on the specific condition of each individual. It is advised that those in the acute phase with internal phlegm-heat refrain from eating mutton. However, during the recovery or post-stroke phase, if the patient is weak, malnourished, and shows symptoms of yang deficiency, consuming mutton is appropriate as it is warm in nature and can nourish the kidney and yang, and warm and strengthen the body. Nevertheless, it is important to consume it in moderation to avoid excessive internal heat.

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What should be noted for cerebral infarction?

People with old myocardial infarctions need to pay attention to their diet. A low-salt, low-fat diet is recommended. Additionally, individuals like Student Shi who have difficulty swallowing must be careful not to choke, as this can lead to aspiration pneumonia. If they really cannot eat, they may need to have a gastric tube inserted for feeding. Emotionally, it is crucial to control emotional fluctuations as they can cause blood pressure spikes, potentially leading to further progression of a cerebral infarction. Regarding medications, they must be taken on time and regularly to prevent risk factors including hyperlipidemia and hypertension. Blood pressure should also be controlled within the normal range. Furthermore, functional exercise is essential, particularly for those suffering from sequelae post-infarction, to prevent local muscle atrophy and stiffness.

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Is lacunar infarction serious?

Lacunar stroke, with diameters ranging from 2mm to 15mm, may appear minor in scale but results from long-term arteriosclerosis of cerebral blood vessels, leading to ischemia and necrosis in surrounding tissues. Clinically, symptoms can manifest as pure sensory, pure motor, mixed-type numbness in limbs, among other symptoms. Symptoms are generally mild and recovery is likely; however, long-term oral antiplatelet medications like aspirin are required. Additionally, stabilizing plaques with statins in combination with other drugs is essential. It's also important to maintain a low-salt, low-fat diet, and manage conditions like hypertension and diabetes. Therefore, its severity is relatively mild compared to extensive strokes.