Metabolic syndrome and IV tPA treatment failure

The so called "metabolic syndrome" consists of a constellation of diseases which tend to occur together, including obesity, high blood cholesterol levels (the bad kind), high blood pressure, and high blood sugar. Not only do these powerful enemies of good health predispose people to strokes, but now there is evidence that they also make people resistant to stroke treatment!

A recent study out of Spain followed 100 patients with metabolic syndrome who suffered ischemic strokes, and who were treated with IV tPA. The findings of this study showed that people with metabolic syndrome were much less likely to respond to tPA treatment by comparison with people who did not suffer from the metabolic syndrome . The authors speculate that this is probably due to an inhibition of the body's ability to break down blood clots, as many of patients with metabolic syndrome have increased blood levels of so called "pro-thrombotic factors", proteins in the blood that induce the production of blood clots.

Recommended reading:
Six ways to stay stroke free
Atherosclerosis and Stroke
Stroke Treatments