[Prevention of stroke]. 
Stroke is an extremely frequent disorder and represents the third most frequent cause of death in industrial countries.  It is associated with catastrophic sequelae not only for the patient but also for his family members, and imposes an enormous socioeconomic burden.  The efficacy of treatment of modifiable risk factors in secondary prevention of stroke is beyond any doubt.  Based on these experiences, a corresponding strategy for an efficient, economic, and low-risk primary prevention of stroke can be deduced, the efficacy of which again can not be seriously doubted.