Prevention of recurrent stroke.

Victims of atherothrombotic infarction of the brain, the most common variety of stroke, frequently have recurrent strokes. Risk factors believed to accelerate such events include hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerotic disease (of heart, aortocervical and intracranial vessels), erythrocythemia, stress, tobacco smoking, hyperuricemia, and perhaps obesity. Most prior studies indicate average anticipated 5 year mortality of 35 to 65 percent and stroke recurrence rate of 20 to 40 percent. A consistent effort to control risk factors in 88 survivors of a first cerebral infarction yielded 17 percent mortality and 16 percent stroke recurrence rates during the 5 years following first stroke. This sustained and systematic approach to risk factor management seemed beneficial to these stroke victims.