Risk awareness in secondary stroke prevention: a review of the literature

Despite improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease through medical advances, it remains the largest single cause of disability and the second leading cause of death on a global scale. Despite this, patient awareness of cardiovascular risk is low and adherence to secondary prevention measures is inadequate. This combined with an ageing population could have serious consequences for both personal and health care costs. Risk management has been used to design strategies to prevent both primary and secondary stroke. These strategies have largely relied upon health professionals providing information, support and monitoring of patients conditions and control of individual risk factors. However, these strategies have not always been successful in the long-term management and prevention of secondary cardiovascular disease. This review explores the literature surrounding risk awareness as a tool to improve patient adherence to medications and lifestyle behaviours to reduce risk of secondary stroke.