Silent Myocardial Infarction and Stroke Risk: We Should Be Listening.

For many years, stroke has been recognized as a coronary risk equivalent.1 This means that patients with a previous ischemic stroke are at sufficiently high risk for cardiac ischemic events over the next decade that they warrant intensive medical management. This includes antithrombotic therapy, high-potency statins, blood pressure control, and treatment of lifestyle factors such as smoking, diet, and physical activity.2