Patients At Risk For Second Stroke (NAPSA)-—Each year 56 million people worldwide suffer life-threatening strokes, according to the National Stroke Association (NSA). Anew study called PROGRESS (Perindopril pROtection aGainst REcurrent Stroke Study) has shownthat taking a high-blood pressure medicine called ACEON Tablets and a diuretic could pre- ae vent over 500,000 worldwide strokes per year. The PROGRESS trial found that stroke survivers who took ACEON Tablets and a diuretic had 50 percent less risk for a second stroke. There was also a 56 percent reduction in other serious stroke-related ailments, including dementia, whichis the loss of cognitive function (such as memory or thought process). AcEON Tablets is currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat high blood pressure. PROGRESS also showed that even people with normal blood pressure who are at risk for a second stroke would benefit from this therapy. “To suffer a stroke is difficult at best, to suffer a second stroke is devastating. The PROGRESS study provides groundbreaking hope fer the thousands ofstroke survivors who are at risk for having another stroke,” said Patty Shwayder, NSA executive director/CEQ. “National Stroke Association believes that the American publie needs to know this information and work with their health care providers to do all they can to prevent strokes.” According to the NSA, secondary strokes are fatal in 25 ger- Studies show that whthin five years of a stroke, 24 percent of women and 42 percent of men will experience another stroke. cent of eases and often result in greater disability. Studies show that within five years of a stroke, 24 percent of women and 42 percent of men will experience anotherstroke. “For the thousands of stroke survivors facing another devastating stroke, the results of this trial give us another weapon in the fight against stroke-related disabilities and deaths,” said Dr. Thomas Brott, professor of neurology at the Mayo Medical Sehool and vice chairman of National Stroke Association. Based in Englewood, Coale., National Stroke Association (NSA) is a leading, independent national non-profit organization devoting 100 percent of its efforts and resources to stroke survivors and their families. For more information on stroke or any of NSA’s programs, contact National Stroke Association at 1-800-Srrokes (800767 67-6537) or visit www.stroke.org.
