As If a Stoke Isn't Bad Enough

Robert W. Griffith, MD

When you think about it, a stroke has much in common with a heart attack. They are both severe, sudden events, capable of producing serious disability, and the cause in most cases is largely due to advanced atherosclerosis. So the report in the journal Stroke isn't too surprising. Scientists from Columbia , New York , determined the 5-year risk of cardiac events after a first ischemic stroke in 655 patients over 40.

Their average age was 70; over half (55%) were women, 51% were Hispanic, 27% were black, and 19% were white. Most of them had had previous cardiovascular conditions - a heart attack (MI or myocardial infarction), coronary heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, or peripheral artery disease.

During the next 4 years, there were 86 vascular deaths - 17 MIs, 8 heart failures, 15 sudden cardiac death (presumably a severe change in rhythm), 39 stroke deaths, and 7 'other'. These risk levels are very similar to those found for patients at high risk of vascular events.

As stated, the results aren't too surprising. But stroke patients aren't usually specifically included in the national guidelines as requiring efforts to lower low-density lipoprotein levels. Clearly, they should be, based on these findings. Indeed, a stroke should be regarded as carrying the same cardiac risk as an MI, and the necessary treatment instituted accordingly.

Source
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