Table 1 Baseline patient data

Men n (%)

147 (64%)

Age, years mean (SD)

71 (7.7)

50-69% symptomatic carotid stenosis n (%)

54 (23%)

70-99% symptomatic carotid stenosis n (%)

176 (77%)

First recorded systolic blood pressure mean (SD)

160 (29)

First recorded diastolic blood pressure mean (SD)

82 (16)

Presenting event: Stroke n (%)

96 (42%)

Presenting event: Retinal artery occlusion n (%)

12 (5%)

Presenting event: TIA n (%)

70 (30%)

Presenting event: Amaurosis fugax n (%)

52 (23%)

Anti-platelet or anti-coagulant at first health care contact n (%)

130 (57%)

Anti-platelet or anti-coagulant at 2 days after first health care contact n (%)

195 (85%)

Anti-platelet or anti-coagulant at 7 days after first health care contact n (%)

214 (93%)

Blood-pressure lowering medication at first health care contact n (%)

189 (82%)

Blood-pressure lowering medication at 2 days after first health care contact n (%)

198 (86%)

Blood-pressure lowering medication at 7 days after first health care contact n (%)

205 (89%)

Lipid lowering medication at first health care contact n (%)

99 (43%)

Lipid lowering medication at 2 days after first health care contact n (%)

142 (62%)

Lipid lowering medication at 7 days after first health care contact n (%)

176 (77%)

Underwent CEA or carotid angioplasty n (%)

183 (80%)

Delay between presenting event and first health care contact, days median (IQR)

0 (0-2)

Delay between presenting event and CEA or carotid angioplasty, weeks median (IQR)

4.1 (2.4-7.1)

CEA or carotid angioplasty within 2 days of the presenting event

1 (0.4%)

CEA or carotid angioplasty within 7 days of the presenting event

10 (4%)

CEA or carotid angioplasty within 14 days of the presenting event

36 (16%)

Recurrent ipsilateral ischemic stroke n (%)

25 (11%)