AdvancesIn Preventing Second Strokes (NAPSA)—Stroke is on the rise. It is estimated that by the year 2010, there will be one million strokes suffered per year. A stroke is a “brain attack” during which blood supply to the brain is cut off, destroying cells that control brain functions. Among stroke survivors, the risk of another stroke within five years is more than 30 percent— and they havea three-fold greater chance of dying than first stroke patients. Fortunately, a new clinicaltrial may offer new information on the best way to prevent second strokes and the potentially fatal damage they can cause. “Second strokes are even more likely to cause death or serious disability in their victims than first strokes,” said Dr. Ralph Sacco, MD, MS, of Columbia Uni- versity College in New York. “We are confident that the PRoFESS study will demonstrate the best treatment options for preventing second strokes.” The PRoFESS (Prevention Regimen For Effectively avoiding Second Strokes) study will seek to prove that Aggrenox, an antiplatelet medication currently available is more effective than Plavix plus aspirin in preventing second strokes. The drug works by thinning the blood and preventing clots, and may protect the artery wall. The main risk for a second stroke is a prior stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack) due to degenerative processes in the wall of blood vessels supplying the brain. It is estimated that up to onehalf of all strokes could be prevented through stroke risk detection and stroke risk management. The most commonstroke symptomsare: 1. Weakness, numbness, paralysis in the face, arm orleg, especially on oneside of the body 2. Suddenintense headache,often described as “the worst headache of my life” 3.Blurry vision orloss ofvisionin one or both eyes 4. Inability to speak or understand simple statements 5. Dizziness, loss of balance orloss of coordination. Other important but less commonstroke symptomsinclude sudden nausea, fever and vomiting (unlike a virus because of the speedofthe onset): brief loss of consciousnessor periods of decreased consciousness (i.e. confusion, fainting, convulsions or coma). If you or someone you know has anyof these warningsigns, for even a brieftime, seek medicalhelp immediately. @ Patients at high risk of a second stroke with all its consequences should seek preventive treatment. “Data from ESPS-2 have demonstrated the superiority of Aggrenox over the traditional treatment of aspirin in preventing secondstrokes after a TIA or stroke,” said Dr. Sacco. “The PRoFESS study is powered to prove which combination anti-platelet regimen is the single most effective anti-platelet agent for preventing second strokes.” For more information about Aggrenox, visit www.aggrenox. com.
