Background and PurposeWe reviewed Stroke Clinic data to determine the extent of risk factor modification achieved in patients with cerebrovascular disease over 2 years.Methodsor=to2 visits (n=61) and measures (number varied) of these parameters.Resultsor=to2 weight measurements, 33 (67%) were moderately or severely overweight by weight-height correlation. Forty-four patients (90%) remained in the same weight category. Of the 60 patients with available blood pressure data, 50 (83%) were hypertensive. At their last visits, 43 of the 50 (86%) were receiving medications, and 22 of the 43 treated (51%) were controlled. Serum glucose remained elevated in 14 of 47 patients (30%) and in 11 of 16 diabetic patients (69%). Thirty-six of 47 patients (55%) had elevated lipid measurements. None of the 21 smokers quit during the study period. Few patients modified dietary and exercise practices. Of 61 patients, 29 (48%) sustained vascular events during the study, with 17 of these 29 patients (59%) having strokes or transient ischemic attacks.ConclusionsAlthough most patients were asked to quit smoking, received advice regarding diet and exercise, and were medicated for hypertension, elevated glucose, and cholesterol levels, their risk factor profiles showed little improvement during the 2-year period. More effective methods of controlling stroke risk factors are needed. (Stroke. 1999;30:16-20.)