Assessment of major risk factors among stroke patients

Sami M Awad1, Hamoodi F Al-Jumaily, Khalid M Al-Dulaimi

  • 1Faculty of Internal Medicine, Al-Anbar College of Medicine, Anbar, Iraq. Samimawad2000@yahoo.com

Saudi Medical Journal
|September 17, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Hypertension, diabetes, and smoking are key stroke risk factors in Al-Anbar Province. Multiple risk factors significantly increase stroke susceptibility among patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Stroke is a leading cause of disability and death globally.
  • Identifying modifiable risk factors is crucial for stroke prevention strategies.
  • Limited data exists on stroke risk factors in western Iraq.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of major modifiable risk factors for stroke.
  • To analyze these risk factors in stroke patients in Al-Anbar Province, Iraq.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study was conducted with 200 stroke patients.
  • Data collected through patient history, examinations, and investigations.
  • Included demographic data, risk factor presence, and brain CT-scanning.

Main Results:

  • The majority of patients (83%) were over 50 years old.
  • Hypertension (69%), diabetes (41%), and smoking (33%) were prevalent.
  • Ischemic stroke (85.5%) was more common than hemorrhagic stroke (14.5%).
  • 73% of patients had multiple risk factors.

Conclusions:

  • Hypertension, diabetes, and smoking are significant stroke risk factors in this population.
  • The presence of multiple risk factors strongly correlates with stroke development.
  • Findings highlight the need for targeted public health interventions in the region.
Abstract

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