After experiencing a stroke, survivors and their families usually concentrate their efforts on rehabilitation and recovery. However, preventing a "recurrent" stroke from happening is also critical. In the U.S. stroke kills more than 130,000 people each year, making it the 5th leading cause of death. About 40 percent of deaths occur in males and 60 percent in females. About one-fourth of the nearly 800,000 strokes that occur each year are recurrent events.