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Management of Hyperlipidemia After Stroke

  • Cerebrovascular Disease and Stroke (S Silverman, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of review

Hyperlipidemia is a key therapeutic target for stroke risk modification. The goal of this review is to highlight available treatment options and review their efficacy in the setting of general cardiovascular disease and after most subtypes of ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke.

Recent findings

Statins remain first-line in the management of hyperlipidemia to prevent stroke. In recent trials of patients with pre-existing atherosclerotic vascular disease, new agents, most notably PCSK9 inhibitors and ezetimibe, added additional stroke risk reduction when combined with statins.

Summary

Risk of stroke can be significantly reduced by understanding that hyperlipidemia is a key therapeutic target, particularly in patients with cardiovascular disease, and by identifying patients who may benefit from aggressive LDL-C reduction with statins ± novel agents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Neurology, Stamford Health Medical Group and Stamford Hospital, Stamford, CT, USA

    Daniel C. Brooks MD

  2. Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 208018, New Haven, CT, 06520-8018, USA

    Joseph L. Schindler MD

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Correspondence to Joseph L. Schindler MD.

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Brooks, D.C., Schindler, J.L. Management of Hyperlipidemia After Stroke. Curr Treat Options Cardio Med 21, 93 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11936-019-0774-8

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