ABSTRACT
Risk perceptions are crucial in understanding people's thoughts about stroke risk and their preventive health behaviours. Management of risk factors plays a vital role in preventing stroke. This study aimed to identify the perceived and actual risk factors in patients with acute stroke. It was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in Sri Ramachandra University Hospital, India. A total of 210 in-patients of a stroke unit were included. Patients’ data were obtained by interviewing the patient and /or accompanying family member and by reviewing their medical records using a standard questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The median self-perceived risk factor was three. The most commonly perceived risk factor was hypertension (53.8%), followed by stress, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, alcohol intake, smoking and family history. The perception of risk was low when compared to actual risk (p < 0.016). The patients with coronary heart disease, family history of stroke and congestive heart failure have higher risk of having ischaemic stroke. There was a positive correlation between the actual risk and perceived risk.