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Published on: February 28, 2012
Stroke prevention
1Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush-Presbyterian-St Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Ill, USA.
Insights
Stroke prevention is highly effective, with up to 80% of cases potentially preventable. This review covers risk factors, prevention strategies, and clinical trial data for reducing stroke incidence and mortality.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Public Health
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Stroke has a high prevalence, burden of illness, and economic cost in the United States, with an estimated annual spending of $30 billion.
- Approximately 3 million stroke survivors and 400,000 to 500,000 new or recurrent stroke cases occur annually.
- Stroke is the third leading cause of death among adults and a target for cost containment by healthcare systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current status of stroke risk factors.
- To examine prevention approaches aimed at reducing stroke incidence.
- To discuss clinical trial data from primary and secondary stroke prevention studies and explore future directions.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on stroke risk factors and prevention.
- Analysis of clinical trial data for primary and secondary stroke prevention.
- Synthesis of information to identify future research and intervention strategies.
Main Results:
- A significant portion of strokes, estimated at up to 80%, are potentially preventable.
- Established safe and effective measures for stroke prevention exist.
- Progress towards public health goals for reducing stroke mortality has been observed.
Conclusions:
- Stroke is a major public health concern with substantial economic impact.
- Effective prevention strategies are available and crucial for reducing stroke burden.
- Continued research and implementation of prevention measures are essential for future progress.
Abstract:
Stroke is ideally suited for prevention. It has a high prevalence, burden of illness, and economic cost, and safe and effective prevention measures. The estimated $30 billion that is being spent for stroke each year in the United States should not come as a surprise given the approximately 3 million stroke survivors and 400,000 to 500,000 new or recurrent stroke cases annually. Stroke remains the third leading cause of death among adults and has been targeted for cost containment by managed care health systems and other insurers. The US Public Health Service in conjunction with the National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives has set a goal to reduce stroke deaths to 20 per 100,000 by the year 2000. This goal could be attained as the estimate of "preventable" strokes could be as high as 80%. In this article, I will review the status of stroke risk factors, prevention approaches to reduce stroke, clinical trial data from primary and secondary stroke prevention studies, and future directions in stroke prevention.
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