Guidelines for the Primary Prevention of Stroke: A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

• Published in: Stroke (1970) 2014-12, Vol.45 (12), p.3754-3832
• Main Authors: Meschia, James F, Bushnell, Cheryl, Boden-Albala, Bernadette, Braun, Lynne T, Bravata, Dawn M, Chaturvedi, Seemant, Creager, Mark A, Eckel, Robert H, Elkind, Mitchell S.V, Fornage, Myriam, Goldstein, Larry B, Greenberg, Steven M, Horvath, Susanna E, Iadecola, Costantino, Jauch, Edward C, Moore, Wesley S, Wilson, John A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: American Heart Association; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiac dysrhythmias; Cardiology. Vascular system; Diabetes. Impaired glucose tolerance; Disorders of blood lipids. Hyperlipoproteinemia; Endocrine pancreas. Apud cells (diseases); Endocrinopathies; Etiopathogenesis. Screening. Investigations. Target tissue resistance; Evidence-Based Medicine; Heart; Humans; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Neurology; Primary Prevention - methods; Risk Factors; Stroke - prevention & control; United States; Vascular diseases and vascular malformations of the nervous system
• ISSN: 0039-2499; 1524-4628
• DOI: 10.1161/STR.0000000000000046

The aim of this updated statement is to provide comprehensive and timely evidence-based recommendations on the prevention of stroke among individuals who have not previously experienced a stroke or transient ischemic attack. Evidence-based recommendations are included for the control of risk factors, interventional approaches to atherosclerotic disease of the cervicocephalic circulation, and antithrombotic treatments for preventing thrombotic and thromboembolic stroke. Further recommendations are provided for genetic and pharmacogenetic testing and for the prevention of stroke in a variety of other specific circumstances, including sickle cell disease and patent foramen ovale.