Of those who have a stroke, at least 10% will have another stroke within the
year. After 5 years more than 30% will have had another stroke. However it has
been shown that these individuals can decrease their risk of a second stroke
by 50% with anticoagulation therapy and by addressing their risk factors--especially
hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and cigarette smoking. For those who have
had a TIA, their outlook is even more favorable. Many of these same medical
and surgical treatments can now significantly reduce the risk that they will
go on to have a stroke.