Secondary Stroke Prevention
Nearly 185,000 recurrent strokes occur in the U.S. each year.
Up to 80% of these are preventable.
Secondary stroke prevention is vital because the risk remains high after an initial stroke or TIA. Most recurrent strokes can be avoided through lifestyle changes and controlling risk factors such as hypertension, poor diet, inactivity, smoking, and obesity. Combining medications like aspirin, statins, and antihypertensives with healthy habits can cut recurrence risk by up to 80%.
Learn about Secondary Stroke Prevention by accessing our resources below.
Survey
Share your knowledge! What do you already know of secondary stroke prevention?
Secondary Stroke Prevention:
Please take a brief survey to assess your knowledge of secondary stroke prevention. Your responses will help the American Heart Association guide future education and awareness efforts, including emerging therapies.Podcasts
Hear from the experts! This series highlights the critical steps health care professionals can take to help patients lower the risk of stroke recurrence.
Secondary Stroke Prevention: Where Are We Now?
Stroke recurrence is a major concern for long-term outcomes. In this episode, experts examine recurrence rates, review current secondary prevention strategies, and highlight remaining gaps in stroke prevention.
Additional Resources
- 2021 Guideline for the Prevention of Stroke in Patients With Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack
- Comparison of American and European Guideline Recommendations for Diagnostic Workup and Secondary Prevention of Ischemic Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack
- Recent advances in the prevention of secondary ischemic stroke: A narrative review
Articles
- Benefits and Risks of Dual Versus Single Antiplatelet Therapy for Secondary Stroke Prevention: A Systematic Review for the 2021 Guideline for the Prevention of Stroke in Patients With Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack
- Comparison of American and European Guideline Recommendations for Diagnostic Workup and Secondary Prevention of Ischemic Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack
- Recent advances in the prevention of secondary ischemic stroke: A narrative review
- Contemporary antiplatelet therapy for secondary stroke prevention: a narrative review of current literature and guidelines
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Secondary Ischemic Stroke Prevention
Patient Education Resources
Engaging your patients in shared decision making can significantly reduce the risk of future stroke. Check out these free downloadable Patient Education Resources to use in conversation with your patients.
Guidelines-on-the-Go
The Guidelines-on-the-Go App features the 2020 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, plus so much more.
