Stroke policy and secondary prevention: how well are we adhering to these guidelines?

Abstract

Stroke recurs in up to 20% of patients. From the moment a person has an acute cerebrovascular event of any sort, he/she is at an increased risk of further events. Unfortunately for those who suffer a recurrent stroke, the outcomes are poorer than after a first stroke and the patient is likely to have increased disabilities which incur additional hospitalization costs over the longer term. Results from the recent national sentinel stroke audit reveal that there is still more to be done in order to optimize secondary stroke prevention in survivors. All nurses working in stroke and those who come in contact with stroke patients, both in primary and secondary settings have an important role to play in secondary stroke prevention.