do Vitamin supplement help in stroke? I guess not....

Occasionally patients ask me does taking vitamin supplements help in stroke prevention and also does it improve recovery from stroke?

Truth: many patients are on over the counter vitamin supplements. Usually patients ask them to be prescribed by there doctors or doctors start them 

Truth : Most of the latest trials  have shown that there is no direct benefit by taking vit supplements in prevention of stroke except only in condition called hyperhomocystenemia where there increase homocysteine level more than >20 its usual value , which predisposes to increase risk of stroke so taking folic acid 5mg per day in these subgroup of patients helps.

False: Vit E,  Vit A,  slows down lipid layering of your arteries which is chief cause of  atherosclerosis and narrowing of you arteries all over the body including the brain.

False: Cyanocobalamin or vit B12 is useful in stroke recovery

Truth: vitamin supplements may not be useful for stroke prevention and stroke recovery.

hypertension increases stroke risk

If one thing I would like to do in my life is to advocate reduction of blood pressure in the masses.The most of the recent and old trials have shown that if you reduce the blood pressure of a patient with hypertension by as low as 10mmhg systolic or diastolic we reduce the stroke risk by as high as 33% or 1/3rd. This is higher than taking any medication for stroke prevention. This is achievable target if all people specifically health care providers like  medical social worker, nursing staff, doctors, pharmacist and dietitian join hands and emphasize this to the patients.
              We need to tell the patient only one thing please monitor your blood pressure regularly at local clinic like every month. I think this small intervention can make a huge change in society.
              Hope for stroke free society...........

Stroke rehabilitation: Constraint Induced Movement Therapy

Atherosclerosis-1

Hypertension Part-2

Hypertension Part-1