No significant effect was found on cardiovascular events , mortality , diastolic blood pressure , or cholesterol .
Conclusions — We found that lifestyle interventions are effective in lowering systolic blood pressure .
About other end points , this systematic review found no effect of lifestyle interventions on cardiovascular event rate mortality , diastolic blood pressure , or total cholesterol
Background and Purpose — Patients with a transient ischemic attack or ischemic stroke have an increased risk of subsequent cardiovascular events .
The purpose of this systematic review and meta- analysis was to determine whether lifestyle interventions focusing on behaviorally modifiable risk factors with or without an exercise program are effective in terms of ( 1 ) preventing recurrent cardiovascular events , ( 2 ) reducing mortality , and ( 3 ) improving modifiable risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease in patients after a transient ischemic attack or ischemic stroke .
Secondary prevention and health promotion after stroke: can it be enhanced?
The aim was to study if health outcome and secondary prevention were satisfactory 1 year after stroke and if nurse-led interventions 3 months after stroke could have impact . Design was a r and omized controlled open trial in a 1-year population . Primary outcome was health status 1 year after stroke . One month after stroke , survivors were r and omized into  intervention group ( IG ) with follow-up by a specialist nurse ( SN ) after 3 months ( n = 232 ) , and control group ( CG ) with st and ard care ( n = 227 ) , all to be followed up 1 year after stroke . At the first follow-up , patients grade d their health , replied to the EuroQol-5 Dimensions ( EQ-5D ) health outcome questions , health problems were assessed , and supportive counseling was provided in the IG . Health problems requiring medical interventions were primarily referred to a general practitioner ( GP ) . One year after stroke , 391 survivors were followed up . Systolic blood pressure ( BP ) had decreased in IG ( n = 194 ) from median 140 to 135 ( P = .05 ) , but about half were above the limit 139 in both groups . A larger proportion ( 22 % ) had systolic BP > 155 in the CG ( n = 197 ) than in the IG ( 14 % ; P = .05 ) . In the IG , 62 % needed referrals compared with the 75 % in the CG ( P = .009 ) . Forty percent in the IG and 52.5 % in the CG ( P = .04 ) reported anxiety/depression . In the IG , 75 % and 67 % in the CG rated their general health as fairly good or very good ( P = .05 ) . Although nurse-led interventions could have some effect , the results were not optimal . A more powerful strategy could be closer collaboration between the SN and a stroke clinician , before referring to primary care
No significant effect was found on cardiovascular events , mortality , diastolic blood pressure , or cholesterol .
Conclusions — We found that lifestyle interventions are effective in lowering systolic blood pressure .
About other end points , this systematic review found no effect of lifestyle interventions on cardiovascular event rate mortality , diastolic blood pressure , or total cholesterol
Background and Purpose — Patients with a transient ischemic attack or ischemic stroke have an increased risk of subsequent cardiovascular events .
The purpose of this systematic review and meta- analysis was to determine whether lifestyle interventions focusing on behaviorally modifiable risk factors with or without an exercise program are effective in terms of ( 1 ) preventing recurrent cardiovascular events , ( 2 ) reducing mortality , and ( 3 ) improving modifiable risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease in patients after a transient ischemic attack or ischemic stroke .