Differentiating ischemic stroke subtypes: risk factors and secondary prevention.

Ischemic strokes account for 87% of all strokes in the US. Patients who suffer an initial ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack are at risk for recurrent strokes, as well as ischemic events in the coronary and peripheral vasculatures. Lifestyle modifications and pharmacological and surgical interventions are effective in reducing the risk of recurrent events in all stroke patients, and evidence-based guidelines for secondary stroke prevention are available. However, increasing evidence indicates that risk factors may be differentially associated with specific ischemic stroke subtypes. In the future, exploiting these differential associations may facilitate secondary stroke prevention and, therefore, improve patient outcomes.