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Cardiolucent

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Stroke Risk Reduction

Assessments & Care Plans

Stroke prevention requires identifying and treating every modifiable factor that raises your risk — blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, carotid disease, lipid abnormalities, diabetes, and lifestyle — in a single coordinated plan. Dr. Kedan combines carotid ultrasound, rhythm monitoring, advanced labs, and written prevention strategy into one workup. The goal is to find the silent contributors before they declare themselves.

What's Included

  • Carotid ultrasound and vascular imaging to detect plaque and stenosis
  • Atrial fibrillation screening — in-office EKG plus extended rhythm monitoring when warranted
  • CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scoring to guide anticoagulation decisions
  • Anticoagulation therapy management with modern agents when indicated
  • Aggressive blood pressure optimization using home-monitoring data
  • Advanced lipid management and metabolic risk reduction
  • Specific, measurable lifestyle prescription for stroke prevention

How This Helps You

Stroke is one of the most preventable major cardiovascular events when its drivers are identified early. Hypertension is the single largest modifiable factor and is often undiagnosed or under-treated; atrial fibrillation roughly quintuples stroke risk and a significant fraction is paroxysmal, missed on a single EKG. A structured workup finds these silent contributors and turns them into treatable targets.

Who This Is For

  • Patients with hypertension — diagnosed or suspected
  • Anyone with known or suspected atrial fibrillation
  • Patients with prior TIA or stroke
  • People with a carotid bruit or known carotid plaque
  • Patients with significant family history of stroke or premature vascular disease
  • Adults over 60 with multiple cardiovascular risk factors
  • Patients with elevated Lp(a), diabetes, or atherosclerosis elsewhere in the body

What to Expect at Your Visit

The initial visit runs 60+ minutes and includes history, focused exam, in-office EKG, POCUS, and same-day carotid ultrasound when indicated. Extended rhythm monitoring is ordered if AFib is suspected but not captured. A follow-up integrates results into a written prevention plan with specific blood pressure targets, lipid goals, anticoagulation decisions, and follow-up cadence.

Why Cardiolucent

Stroke prevention demands continuity — the same physician watching the same blood pressure trends, the same rhythm strips, and the same imaging year over year. Dr. Kedan personally handles every visit and is reachable directly between visits, which matters when a new symptom or a home blood pressure reading needs a same-day answer. Cedars-Sinai affiliation supports rapid escalation if neurology or vascular intervention becomes necessary.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does stroke risk reduction involve?
It's a structured plan to identify and treat every modifiable factor that raises your chance of stroke — blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, carotid disease, lipid abnormalities, diabetes, and lifestyle. Dr. Kedan combines carotid ultrasound, rhythm monitoring, advanced labs, and a written prevention plan into a single coordinated workup. The goal is to find the silent contributors before they declare themselves.
Who should be evaluated for stroke risk?
Anyone with high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, prior TIA or stroke, significant family history, carotid bruit, diabetes, atherosclerosis elsewhere in the body, or age over 60 with risk factors should consider formal evaluation. It's also a useful baseline for patients with elevated Lp(a) or strong family history of premature vascular disease. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Kedan to determine where you stand.
Why is blood pressure such a focus?
Hypertension is the single largest modifiable stroke risk factor, and many patients are either undiagnosed or under-treated. Even modest, sustained reductions in blood pressure produce meaningful drops in stroke risk over time. Dr. Kedan targets specific blood pressure goals based on your overall risk and refines therapy based on home measurements rather than office snapshots alone.
How does atrial fibrillation increase stroke risk?
In atrial fibrillation, the upper chambers of the heart quiver instead of contracting normally, allowing blood to pool and form clots that can travel to the brain. AFib raises stroke risk roughly fivefold, and a significant fraction of cases are paroxysmal — they come and go and can be missed on a single EKG. Extended rhythm monitoring is used when there's clinical suspicion despite normal in-office tracings.
What is a carotid ultrasound and why might I need one?
Carotid ultrasound uses sound waves to image the arteries in your neck that supply the brain, detecting plaque and measuring how much it narrows the vessel. It's painless, takes about 15–20 minutes, and helps decide whether more aggressive medical therapy or intervention is warranted. Dr. Kedan orders it selectively based on symptoms, risk factors, or physical exam findings.
Will I need to take a blood thinner?
Possibly — anticoagulation is the most effective intervention for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation and certain other conditions. Modern anticoagulants are safer and easier to manage than warfarin, but they're not for every patient. The decision is made by weighing your specific stroke risk against your bleeding risk, using validated scoring tools, and the plan is reviewed at every visit.
What lifestyle changes reduce stroke risk?
The largest gains come from blood pressure control, smoking cessation, regular aerobic and resistance exercise, a Mediterranean-style dietary pattern, weight and metabolic optimization, treatment of sleep apnea, and moderation of alcohol. Lifestyle and medication work in the same direction — they aren't alternatives. Dr. Kedan defines specific targets so progress is measurable.
What are the warning signs of a stroke I should know?
Use the FAST acronym: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911. Sudden numbness, severe headache, vision changes, confusion, or trouble walking also warrant immediate emergency care. Time is the single most important variable in stroke outcomes — call 911 rather than waiting to see if symptoms pass.
Is stroke risk reduction care covered by insurance?
Cardiolucent does not accept Medicare or insurance and bills patients directly. Many labs, imaging studies, and rhythm monitoring devices are still reimbursed through your standard insurance when ordered with appropriate diagnoses. We provide a detailed superbill for out-of-network reimbursement of the visit — call (310) 304-5555 for specific billing questions.

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Medical Disclaimer

The information on this site is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this site does not create a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal guidance. If this is an emergency, call 911. Mentions of medications, devices, or procedures are informational and not endorsements. Full medical disclaimer.

†Some listed indications involve investigational/off-label use. Learn more.