There is evidence that statin therapy in patients with a history of ischaemic stroke or TIA significantly reduces subsequent major coronary events but only marginally reduces the risk of stroke recurrence .
There is no clear evidence of beneficial effect from statins in those with previous haemorrhagic stroke and it is unclear whether statins should be started immediately post stroke or later .
BACKGROUND Studies have shown that interventions which reduce total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels also reduce coronary heart disease ( CHD ) and stroke events in those with a history of CHD .
However , it is uncertain whether treatment to alter cholesterol levels can prevent recurrence of either stroke or subsequent cardiovascular events and whether differences in outcomes exist between classes of lipid-lowering therapy .
This is an up date of a Cochrane review first published in 2002 .
OBJECTIVES To investigate the effect of altering serum lipids pharmacologically for preventing subsequent cardiovascular disease and stroke recurrence in patients with a history of stroke .
Long‐term prognosis and quality of life after reversible cerebral ischemic attacks
ABSTRACT — The long‐term prognosis and quality of life of 201 patients admitted to hospital with reversible ischemic attacks ( RIA ) were estimated in a prospect i ve study . The median follow‐up time was 58 months . Further RIAs were reported by 91 patients ( 45 % ) and 48 ( 24 % ) suffered a stroke . The risk of stroke was markedly higher in the first 6 months after RIA , after which the annual stroke rate was rather constant with an average of 4.8 % , about 8 times higher than expected . The average annual mortality rate for the RIA patients was 5.9 % , which is significantly higher than expected . Cardiovascular deaths accounted for more than half of all deaths , stroke for one fourth . Life‐table analysis of subgroups disclosed a much more favorable prognosis for women under 60 years .  High systolic blood pressure , diabetes , and previous myocardial infa rct ion were identified as risk factors . The occurrence of RIA had significantly influenced the quality of life and occupational status for the majority of the patients , even for those who did not suffer a subsequent stroke . Decreased working capacity , general asthenia and fatigue and impaired memory were the most common complaints . We conclude that RIA may be a more serious vascular event than generally believed . Apart from carrying a substantial risk of stroke and death , even a single RIA can cause permanent psychological dysfunction influencing the quality of life
There is evidence that statin therapy in patients with a history of ischaemic stroke or TIA significantly reduces subsequent major coronary events but only marginally reduces the risk of stroke recurrence .
There is no clear evidence of beneficial effect from statins in those with previous haemorrhagic stroke and it is unclear whether statins should be started immediately post stroke or later .
BACKGROUND Studies have shown that interventions which reduce total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels also reduce coronary heart disease ( CHD ) and stroke events in those with a history of CHD .
However , it is uncertain whether treatment to alter cholesterol levels can prevent recurrence of either stroke or subsequent cardiovascular events and whether differences in outcomes exist between classes of lipid-lowering therapy .
This is an up date of a Cochrane review first published in 2002 .
OBJECTIVES To investigate the effect of altering serum lipids pharmacologically for preventing subsequent cardiovascular disease and stroke recurrence in patients with a history of stroke .