NOTE: The content in this module is currently being reviewed to match our latest Clinical Guidelines.

Learning Objectives

After completing this module, participants be able to:

• explain which risk factors are most prevalent and have the strongest association with stroke risk
• define epidemiological terms used to describe the association between a risk factor and disease
• distinguish the difference between modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors
• discriminate behavioural, environmental and clinical risk factors
• recognise that risk factor awareness and detection of risk factors are important aspects of stroke prevention
• describe how multiple risk factors contribute to an increased absolute risk of stroke
• state the difference between primary prevention and secondary prevention of stroke
• explain that prevention management can include behavioural and/or medical interventions.

About this module

This module was originally developed for the Victorian Stroke Clinical Network by Dominique Cadilhac in 2010. This module was updated in 2014 with additional contributions from Joosup Kim (Monash University) and Christopher Bladin (Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health).

We gratefully acknowledge the peer review comments that enhanced this module from Amanda Thrift (Monash University) and Alistair Wright (La Trobe Regional Hospital) who provided feedback on version 1 (2010); and Bruce Campbell (Royal Melbourne Hospital) on this current version 2 (2015).

Suggested citation for material in this module:

Cadilhac, D. A. Kim J, Bladin C.F. (2015). Stroke Prevention module, Stroke Australia, Interactive education for Australian Healthcare Professionals.