Doctors leading a large stroke study in Europe report that a combination of two blood pressure control medications — an ACE-inhibitor and a diuretic — can reduce the risk of suffering a second stroke by as much as 50 percent.

        The findings rank among the most important news in years for preventing stroke, according to the National Stroke Association and other stroke experts.

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For information about stroke, visit www.stroke.org or contact the National Stroke Association at 1-800-STROKES or (800) 767-6537.

        But it remains unclear how soon the findings might lead to changes in how U.S. stroke victims receive medical care — and how much such care might increase costs.

        “This is an important finding. A 50 percent reduction in secondary strokes is even better than aspirin,” which cuts stroke risk about 20 percent, said Dr. Joseph Broderick, director of the Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Stroke Team.

        Stroke, the nation's third leading cause of death, kills about 160,000 people a year in the United States. About 500,000 people suffer first-time strokes each year, while another 100,000 a year suffer recurrent strokes, according to the American Heart Association.

        The European study, known as the “Progress”trial, was conducted during the past five years and involved more than 6,000 patients in 10 countries.

        Results are coming out at various medical conferences, including presentations in Europe in late May.

        Researchers report that using Aceon (an ACE-inhibitor generically known as perindopril) and indapamide (a diuretic) helped reduce the incidence of and the damage caused by secondary strokes:

        • A 38 percent reduction in fatal strokes in patients using the therapy.

        • Up to a 50 percent reduction in stroke-related dementia and serious cognitive impairment.

        • Patients with blood pressure near the high end of the normal range can benefit from this therapy.

        Both drugs are approved for U.S. use to control blood pressure.

        The National Stroke Association says that about 24 percent of women and 42 percent of men who suffer one stroke will suffer a second stroke within five years.

        About 25 percent of second strokes are fatal and second strokes that don't kill tend to cause more brain damage than initial strokes.

        Until now, the main stroke prevention treatment has been aspirin, which prevents clotting.

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