The Stroke Prevention through Aggressive Reduction of Cholesterol Levels (SPARCL) trial showed that treatment with atorvastatin 80 mg/d reduced the frequency of stroke by 16%. In the SPARCL trial, the mean low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C in the treatment group was 73 mg/dl. On the basis of the SPARCL trial, the American Stroke Association now recommends statins with "intensive lipid lowering effects" for secondary prevention in the 2008 guideline update. Achieving target levels is most important for secondary prevention of stroke, when patients have an annual risk of stroke recurrence of 3-15% per year. Rosuvastatin is well suited for these secondary prevention goals due to its potent lipid-lowering effects.