[Primary and secondary prevention of stroke]

Abstract

The basis for primary and secondary prevention of stroke (and also TIA) are both a healthy lifestyle with a healthy diet, non smoking, weight reduction and regular exercise, and consistent treatment of arterial hypertension with a target of < 140 /90 mmHg. The choice of the antihypertensive is depending on concomitant diseases, more important than the class of antihypertensive is treatment to target. Reduction of cholesterol with statins in primary prevention is dependant on total cardiovascular risk, in secondary prevention statins are integral part of modern treatment in non cardioembolic stroke. Atrial fibrillation is one of the major causes of stroke and should be treated with anticoagulation depending on the CHA2DS2-VASc score. Platelet inhibition is mandatory lifelong in all non cardioembolic strokes, in primary prevention only for patients with high total cardiovascular risk. Treatment of asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis should be determined on an individual basis. Symptomatic carotid artery stenosis should be treated immediately after the index stroke.