Stroke in Old Age

Three quarters of all strokes occur over age 65, and these strokes in the older age group are much more often fatal. Stroke is the fourth most important cause of death and the major cause of adult disability. Both stroke prevention after TIA and minor stroke and the acute treatment of ischaemic stroke are highly effective at any age. Atrial fibrillation is an important largely preventable cause of severe stroke in the elderly, and prophylactic effective anticoagulation should be much more widely used. “Time is brain”—thrombolysis and clot retrieval for acute stroke must be treated urgently. Successful stroke prevention and treatment require continuous improvement of stroke systems and repeated public awareness campaigns.