Risk factors in stroke

ABSTRACT

Stroke has remained a serious disease despite new post-stroke treatment strategies. This study was designed to identify risk factors for stroke. A hundred and one cases aged 18-87 years [60 male and 41 female] with first ever stroke where the lesion was confirmed by CT scan were studied prospectively. A detailed medical and family history was taken and general physical and neurological examination carried out according to the study protocol. Analysis of data showed that ischaemic stroke constituted 69.3% [n=70] of cases, intracerebral haemorrhage occurred in 27.7% [n=28] and subarachnoid haemorrhage was found in 2.97% [n=3] of cases. In both male and female groups the most likely stroke prone age was 50-70 years. Hypertension [56.4%], diabetes mellitus [27%], hyperlipidaemia [23%], I.H.D. [22%] and smoking [21%] were most commonly associated with increased risk for stroke. There was low frequency of cerebral haemorrhage in cases with diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidaemia as compared to cerebral infarction. Common risk factors in the present study were hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia, IHD and smoking