Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 21, 2026
Hydra, a Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Cardiovascular Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: September 26, 2018
Increasing prevalence of vascular risk factors in patients with stroke: A call to action
Fadar Oliver Otite1, Nicholas Liaw2, Priyank Khandelwal2
1From the Departments of Neurology (F.O.O., N.L., P.K., A.M.M., J.G.R., T.R., R.L.S., S.C.) and Public Health Sciences (T.R., R.L.S.), University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, FL. oliverotite@gmail.com.
Insights
Cardiovascular risk factors and diseases are increasing in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This trend highlights the urgent need for improved prevention strategies to reduce stroke incidence and severity.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular epidemiology
- Neurology
- Public health
Background:
- Cardiovascular risk factors and diseases are leading causes of morbidity and mortality.
- Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a major public health concern with significant long-term consequences.
- Understanding trends in risk factors and comorbidities associated with AIS is crucial for effective prevention and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate trends in the prevalence of key cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, drug abuse) in patients with AIS.
- To assess trends in the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (carotid stenosis, chronic renal failure [CRF], coronary artery disease [CAD]) in AIS patients.
- To identify changes in the burden of multiple risk factors among AIS patients over time.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2004-2014.
- Calculated weighted prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and diseases in hospitalized AIS patients.
- Employed joinpoint regression analysis to determine annual percentage changes in prevalence over the study period.
Main Results:
- Over 92% of AIS patients had at least one cardiovascular risk factor.
- Prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, and drug abuse significantly increased annually.
- Prevalence of carotid stenosis, CRF, and CAD also showed significant annual increases.
- The proportion of AIS patients with multiple risk factors rose over time.
Conclusions:
- Despite prevention efforts, cardiovascular risk factors and associated diseases are increasing in the AIS population.
- The rising prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, drug abuse, carotid stenosis, CRF, and multiple risk factors in AIS patients is concerning.
- Enhanced strategies for risk factor modification and adherence to evidence-based guidelines are imperative for effective stroke prevention.
Objective:
To evaluate trends in prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, and drug abuse) and cardiovascular diseases (carotid stenosis, chronic renal failure [CRF], and coronary artery disease [CAD]) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in the United States.
Methods:
We used the 2004-2014 National Inpatient Sample to compute weighted prevalence of each risk factor in hospitalized patients with AIS and used joinpoint regression to evaluate change in prevalence over time.
Results:
Across the 2004-2014 period, 92.5% of patients with AIS had ≥1 risk factor. Overall age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, and drug abuse were 79%, 34%, 47%, 15%, and 2%, respectively, while those of carotid stenosis, CRF, and CAD were 13%, 12%, and 27%, respectively. Risk factor prevalence varied by age (hypertension: 44% in 18-39 years vs 82% in 60-79 years), race (diabetes: Hispanic 49% vs white 30%), and sex (drug abuse: men 3% vs women 1.4%). Using joinpoint regression, prevalence of hypertension increased annually by 1.4%, diabetes by 2%, dyslipidemia by 7%, smoking by 5%, and drug abuse by 7%. Prevalence of CRF, carotid stenosis, and CAD increased annually by 13%, 6%, and 1%, respectively. Proportion of patients with multiple risk factors also increased over time.
Conclusions:
Despite numerous guidelines and prevention initiatives, prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, and drug abuse in AIS increased across the 2004-2014 period. Proportion of patients with carotid stenosis, CRF, and multiple risk factors also increased. Enhanced risk factor modification strategies and implementation of evidence-based recommendations are needed for optimal stroke prevention.
More Related Videos
09:11Performing Permanent Distal Middle Cerebral with Common Carotid Artery Occlusion in Aged Rats to Study Cortical Ischemia with Sustained Disability
Published on: February 23, 2016
10:11Fundus Photography as a Convenient Tool to Study Microvascular Responses to Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Epidemiological Studies
Published on: October 22, 2014
Related Concept Videos
01:23Atherosclerosis IV: Nursing Management
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:30Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:27Regulation of Stroke Volume
Preload refers to the degree of stretch on the heart before it contracts. It's analogous to the stretching of a rubber band; the more it's stretched, the more forcefully it snaps back. This concept is encapsulated in the Frank-Starling law of the...
01:27Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care
01:29Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care