Many stroke patients 'not sticking to prescribed medication'

Around one quarter of stroke patients discontinue their prescribed stroke medications within three months of hospitalisation, a new study shows.

This is despite the fact that the risk of a recurrent stroke is greatest during this period, according to an article in the Archives of Neurology Journal.

Researchers from Wake Forest University studied more than 2,500 patients, finding that 20 per cent were only taking some of their prescribed stroke medicine, while three per cent were taking none at all.

The authors note that understanding the complex relationship between patients, doctors and care givers is an important area for future study.

"Using the insights, we can begin to develop and evaluate strategies to improve appropriate use of evidence-based therapies and reduce the risk of recurrent stroke," the article concludes.

The British Medical Group recently revealed in the Guardian that there was no "obvious benefit" from taking vitamin B supplements for stroke patients.

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