Hypertension as a Risk Factor for Haemorrhagic Stroke in Females

To study the effect of hypertension as a risk factor for haemorrhagic stroke in women compared to men.

Confirmed cases of haemorrhagic stroke by Computed Tomography scan were included in this study. The participants underwent detailed clinical examination based on preset questionnaire. Relevant laboratory investigations were done in this group. 100 consecutive cases were studied comparing the baseline characteristics with male patients admitted with haemorrhagic stroke.

Among all the risk factors studied hypertension was the single most important risk factor causing intracerebral bleed. Forty seven point four percentage (47.4%) of females were hypertensive as against 61% in males. Blood pressure recording of females showed lower systolic and diastolic measurement compared to males and the difference was statistically significant with a p value of 0.000. Majority of the female patients were overweight with a significant difference in body mass index compared to males. (p value 0.006).

Hypertension is an important risk factor for intracerebral bleed. Females developed intracerebral bleed at a lower blood pressure measurement compared to males. Females require better control of hypertension than males to prevent intracerebral bleed.