'Third of stroke survivors miss out on medication'

Up to a third of stroke survivors in Bradford and Airedale could be missing out on vital medication to prevent further instances, according to research.

Dr Alejandro González Aquines, of the University of Bradford, is inviting patients and carers in the area to aid his research into why people who are eligible for medication are not receiving it.

His research also found women and younger stroke survivors were less likely to receive cholesterol‑lowering medication after their first stroke.

González Aquines said: "Stroke prevention should be accessible, understandable and equitable. The goal is simple: ensure everyone receives the care they need to stay healthier, longer."

According to the Stroke Association charity, 100,000 people have strokes each year in the UK and there are 1.4 million stroke survivors.

"Most of the research focuses on how to prevent the first stroke," said González Aquines.

"Thanks to the development in treatment, more people are living after strokes.

"This population has more than double the risk of dying because of a stroke, so we need to stop people having second strokes."

González Aquines, a trained physician now working in public health research, said preventative medication such as statins and anticoagulants could cut the risk of a second stroke by up to 66%, yet 30% of stroke survivors in Bradford and Airedale miss out.

He examined prescription patterns across the region, analysing anonymised data from more than 900,000 people through Connected Bradford's health database.

Nationally, the figure ranges between 20 and 40% in different areas.

González Aquines said he wanted to find out more about why people were not taking medication.

Early findings suggested a "misunderstanding" among stroke survivors in the region about how to prevent a second stroke through medication, he said.

"That's why I would encourage stroke survivors and carers to have a conversation with their GP just to make sure they are receiving the right medication."

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