How to Avoid Your 1st Stroke, Part 2

Two months ago, I reviewed the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association's recommendations on how to prevent that first stroke.  Earlier this week, the European Heart Journal reviewed the currently available evidence and concluded 70% of first strokes are avoidable & preventable with lifestyle modification, especially those that lower blood pressure.  They also noted that while the evidence for the role of lipids in heart disease is quite strong, the linkage is not so clear cut with regards to lipids and stroke.  Both heart failure and atrial fibrillation are considered high risk for cardiac embolism as a source of ischemic stroke.  While we only have observational data as to the link between blood pressure and stroke, it's not too far fetched to consider optimizing one's blood pressure, rather than settling for just good enough.  So keep a close eye on your blood pressure.  And in the meantime, Happy Chinese New Year (it's the year of the rabbit/hare).