Honest opinion on the use of Nicotine. I had been using nicotine pouches for a while prior to my stroke. At the onset of the stroke I had just put one in maybe a minute of two prior. I have not used nicotine since. Just wondering if the use was a leading factor or if future use might cause another stroke.

Ragoo said:

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Honest opinion on the use of Nicotine. I had been using nicotine pouches for a while prior to my stroke. At the onset of the stroke I had just put one in maybe a minute of two prior. I have not used nicotine since. Just wondering if the use was a leading factor or if future use might cause another stroke.

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It sounds as if your stroke was of an embolic nature. That being said, nicotine is a vasoconstrictor. Having recently had a stroke, I would be extremely cautious with anything that would constrict your blood vessels. In short, I certainly don't think it is likely that nicotine precipitated the problem, but I would avoid it with your recent history. I am neither a neurologist nor a cardiologist. Furthermore, I did NOT sleep at a Holiday Inn express last night.

Understood thanks.

I will say that in general PFO closure isn't urgent and can wait longer than 2-3 weeks. There is also no reason to limit your activity. If you are feeling well you can do anything you want. Activity has no effect on the PFO and was not a contributor to your stroke.

Stressful situation I know. You should continue to touch base with your cardiologist until you get a follow up, but wanted to try and give you some piece of mind.

Thanks. I've been given the same clearance by my cardio. Back to cycling and running with intensity. I am still on 81mg aspirin, clopidogrel, and atorvastatin.

Yep, all of that running and cycling probably really helped you recover from the stroke. Everything that keeps blood vessels open and blood flowing will pay off in spades both short and long term.

I don't know how I missed this thread.

Glad to hear you're on the mend dude.

That's good. Just don't fall off your bike. But agree with others, might be good to lay off nicotine even though it didn't directly cause your symptoms.