ABSTRACT
This study aimed to identify the main risk factors of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) in Jordan. Identification of risk factors may help to reduce the incidence of CVA. A form was prepared for data collection which consisted of two parts to gather biodata and the incidence of risk factors. A sample of 200 patients with CVA (60% men) were randomly selected from various areas of Jordan. An age, region distribution, and gender-matched sample were selected to serve as control. Hypertension in the experimental group (66%) was significantly higher than the control group (32%) p < 0.001. Half of the subjects with stroke had diabetes compared to 22% of the control group (p < 0.001). Cardiovascular diseases were found in 29% of subjects with CVA compared to 14% in the control group (p < 0.001). About 27% of the CVA group had hyperlipidemia in comparison to 13% in the controls (p < 0.002). Smokers represented 54% of the experimental group compared to 30% of the control group (p < 0.05). An important finding in the present study was that about half of the selected subjects with strokes were under the age of 60 years. In conclusion, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hyperlipidemia, and smoking are risk factors for CVA in Jordan.
