Cholesterol linked to stroke
In study of 165 792 individuals from the lancet May 2009, a decrease of 1mmol/l in LDL cholesterol equates to a reduction in relative risk of stroke by 21.1 per cent.
Despite the inconsistent or weak association between cholesterol and stroke, lowering of cholesterol concentrations with statins reduces the risk of stroke in high-risk populations and in patients with non-cardioembolic stroke or transient ischaemic attack. Statin therapy is the most important advance in stroke prevention since the introduction of aspirin and antihypertensive treatments. Meta-analysis of randomised trials of statins in combination with other preventive strategies, including 165 792 individuals, shows that each 1 mmol/L (39 mg/dL) decrease in LDL cholesterol equates to a reduction in relative risk for stroke of 21·1%.
May 2009 – The Lancet Neurology, Vol. 8 No. 5 pp 453-463