Stroke risk, cholesterol and statins.

The natural statins should be used as first line agents in the prevention of stroke. The effects of the synthetic statins on the prevention of coronary events and stroke have not been reported at this time. The National Stroke Association's Stroke Prevention Advisory Board has prepared a consensus statement on risk reducing intervention. The Board identified hypertension, MI, atrial fibrillation, hyperlipidemia and asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (60% to 99% occlusion) as proven stroke risk factors. The Board's recommendations for the prevention of a first stroke are: 1. Hypertension should be treated with lifestyle, pharmacologic and multidisciplinary management strategies. 2. Aspirin post MI and warfarin (international normalized ratio, 2 to 3) for patients with atrial fibrillation, left ventricular thrombus or significant left ventricular dysfunction. Statin agents should be used post MI. 3. Atrial fibrillation patients age 75 or older should be treated with warfarin. Younger patients 65 to 75 with atrial fibrillation and risk factors should be treated with warfarin [corrected]. Younger patients 65 to 75 with atrial fibrillation without risk factors should be treated with warfarin or aspirin [corrected]. 4. Patients with hyperlipidemia and coronary artery disease should be on statin agents. 5. Carotid endarterectomy is recommended for asymptomatic carotid stenosis (60% to 99%) when surgical morbidity and mortality are less than 3%. 6. Adherence to a low-fat diet, smoking avoidance, mild alcohol use, and physical activity should follow published guidelines.