Does a stroke become more intense once you've had one already?

Details below: Between 5-14% of stroke survivors have a second stroke within a year. Within 5 years up to 40% of people will have a recurrent stroke. There are things that can be done to reduce the risk: controlling blood pressure, not smoking, controlling diabetes, lowering cholesterol, exercising, limiting alcohol use, low sodium and fat diet. See www.Stroke.Org for more information.

See below: If one has already had a stroke or tia, the greatest risk at one year is another stroke, and medications should be added to your prevention program. The most effective, based on research seems to be aggrenox, but if your stroke was embolic, may need an anticoagulant. The general health advice, already given, should likewise be heeded.