Secondary prevention of stroke in the elderly: focus on drug therapy.

Secondary stroke prevention in the elderly in many cases requires the use of drug therapy to maximize risk factor control. However, the elderly (≥65 years) are most likely to receive care that is not evidence-based, because of concerns for adverse events. In this review, we provide evidence to the practitioner in support of the value of blood pressure control with drug therapy to decrease recurrent stroke risk. This review also highlights evidence for the importance of statin therapy in stroke prevention among the elderly. Finally, the appropriate use of antiplatelet therapy and oral anticoagulation is addressed.