Secondary Cerebrovascular Prevention in Light of the COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected healthcare systems, professionals and patients around the world. At the same time, the burden of cerebrovascular events is considerable. Worldwide, more than one million deaths per year are due to cerebrovascular events, which are the second most frequent cause of death and the main cause of long-term disability in Europe. To approach the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and secondary cerebrovascular prevention: CONCLUSION: We recommend: (1) As in normal times, during the COVID-19 pandemic wave, patients need to seek urgent medical attention in case of any acute cerebrovascular event. This will assure they receive needed rapid cerebrovascular secondary prevention in addition to acute intravenous and endovascular reperfusion strategies. (2) As in normal times, during the COVID-19 pandemic wave, it is of utmost importance that patients adhere to their individual recommendations for secondary prevention. (3) Optimal secondary but also primary cerebrovascular prevention might reduce the burden of COVID-19 now and during potential subsequent waves. (4) Patients with cerebrovascular disease should strictly adhere to advice concerning the pandemic provided by their governments and to pandemic-related recommendations for them as individuals expressed by their treating physicians.