Aked J, Delavaran H, Lindgren A, et al. - Stroke survival rates are high, although they have been declining in recent decades, probably due to the composition of the first-ever stroke population. The importance of re-evaluation in recurrent stroke is highlighted by the regular occurrence of changing pathogenetic processes between first-ever and recurrent stroke.

• Two hundred sixty-five of 400 first-ever stroke patients survived three years after the stroke.

• Age, stroke severity, and comorbidities all had an independent relationship with three-year mortality.

• Survival was lowest among index ischemic stroke patients with cardio-aortic embolism.

• The most common causes of death were cerebrovascular disease and ischemic heart disease.

• Thirty people had recurrent strokes within three years.

• Upon recurrence, 16/29 patients with index ischemic stroke had a different TOAST pathogenetic mechanism or hemorrhagic stroke.

• Stroke survival improved between 1983-85 and 2015-16, but there was no significant change between 2001-02 and 2015-16.