Despite advances in earlier diagnosis and available aggressive treatments for vascular risk factors, stroke remains a leading cause of death and long-term disability worldwide. Disparities exist in stroke risk, rates of stroke, and treatment. Stroke is a heterogeneous disease with multiple additive risk factors and causes. Primary prevention of stroke focusing on risk factor modification plays an important role in reducing the burden of stroke in an aging population. Secondary prevention of recurrent strokes relies on the workup and a tailored treatment targeted at the mechanisms responsible for the incident stroke or transient ischemic attack.
Keywords: Anticoagulants; Antiplatelets; Primary stroke prevention; Secondary stroke prevention; Stroke; Stroke etiology; Stroke mechanism; Vascular risk factor.
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