ABSTRACT
To find out the relative frequencies of various risk factors associated with first ever stroke. This prospective observational study was conducted in medical B unit of the Department of Medicine, Post Graduate Medical Institute, Government Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan from March 2001 to January 2002. A total number of 100 patients, 64 males and 36 females, with first ever stroke were included in the study. A questionnaire was designed comprising detailed history, general physical and neurological examinations. The association of different risk factors with stroke was studied. The ages of patients ranged from 17 to 100 years with mean age of 59 years +11.63 years standard deviation [SD]. Cerebral infarction constituted 68%, intracerebral hemorrhage 31% and subarachnoid hemorrhage 01%. Hypertension [HTN] was the most common risk factor [60%] followed by diabetes mellitus [DM] [28%], hyperlipidemia [28%], smoking [22%], ischemic heart disease [IHD] [18%], atrial fibrillation [12%] and history of oral contraceptive use [10%]. Main risk factors for stroke are Hypertension, Diabetes mellitus, Hyperlipidemia and Smoking. Stroke can be prevented by modification of these risk factors. There is a genuine need for health education programmes on stroke and their mortality