Lowering cholesterol as secondary prevention of stroke or transient ischaemic attack

Lowering cholesterol with a statin reduces the risk of further ischaemic stroke, at the expense of a slight increase in the risk of further haemorrhagic stroke. Statin therapy has a greater effect on subsequent coronary events.

Consider starting a statin in all patients whose stroke or TIA is presumed to be due to atherosclerotic disease, regardless of the initial cholesterol concentration (see drug advice).