ABSTRACT
A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) lasts for less than 24 hours. Outcome for stroke patients is better, and their stay is usually shorter, if cared for by specialist teams in stroke units. The Department of Health has seta target to reduce the death rate from stroke and cardiovascular disease by 40% in people under 75 years of age. Hypertension accounts for up to 50% of ischaemic strokes. The British Hypertension Society guidelines state that hypertension persisting for over 1 month after a stroke should be treated. The discussion is focused around the European Stroke Prevention Study and the European/Australasian Stroke Prevention in Reversible Ischaemia Trial, both of which show there is a reduction in vascular events by using aspirin with dipyridamole. Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of stroke sixfold. Warfarin was previously the drug of choice for prevention of stroke in AF.
