Primary stroke prevention needs overhaul

Abstract

There is compelling evidence from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study that the burden of stroke and cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been increasing fast over the last two and half decades. These deficiencies are further highlighted by significant gender and ethnic disparities, and a trend towards more strokes in younger people. This suggests very strongly that currently used primary stroke and CVD prevention measures, which include high-risk (screening of the population for absolute CVD risk) and population-wide strategies, are not sufficiently effective. Identifying the causes of the failure in primary stroke and CVD prevention on individual and population levels and the most promising strategies to improve the situation is the first step in combating these leading causes of disease burden in the world.