Response to new research from The American Stroke Association claiming survivors who stop taking aspirin increase risk of another stroke.

Each year in England and Wales over 130,000 people have a stroke and of these over 53,000 are recurrent strokes. Previous research has shown that, following a stroke caused by a blockage in one of the arteries to the brain (an ischaemic stroke) or a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA or mini-stroke), aspirin can reduce the risk of further strokes and TIAs by as much as one third.

The Stroke Association believes it is crucial that stroke patients are provided with effective treatment and medication after stroke to help prevent any subsequent strokes. If aspirin is prescribed to a stroke patient they will most probably need to take it for life. As with most medications, people should not stop taking their medication without first discussing it with their doctor or GP.

Notes to editor

1. Each year over 130,000 people in Wales and England have a stroke. Of all people who suffer from a stroke, about a third are likely to die within the first 10 days, about a third are likely to make a recovery within one month and about a third are likely to be left disabled and needing rehabilitation. Stroke has a greater disability impact than any other medical condition. A quarter of a million people are living with long-term disability as a result of stroke in the UK.

2. The Stroke Association is the only national charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages. It funds research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its community services. These include dysphasia support, family support, information services, welfare grants, publications and leaflets. We also campaign, educate and inform to increase knowledge of stroke at all levels of society and we act as a voice for everyone affected by stroke.

3. A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted. Most strokes occur when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain. Some strokes are caused by bleeding in or around the brain from a burst blood vessel. When the blood supply is disrupted, parts of the brain become damaged or destroyed. Some strokes are fatal whist others can cause permanent or temporary paralysis to one side of the body and loss of the ability to speak, read or write. Recovery may be slow and can vary from person to person.

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