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Circulatory manifestations and risk factors in patients with acute cerebrovascular disease and in matched controls
Insights
Elderly patients with cerebrovascular disease (CVD) show a higher prevalence of circulatory issues and traditional atherosclerosis risk factors, including hypertension and diabetes. These factors suggest a link to ongoing atherosclerotic processes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is a significant health concern, particularly in the elderly.
- Understanding associated circulatory manifestations and risk factors is crucial for effective management and prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the occurrence of circulatory manifestations and risk factors in elderly patients with acute cerebrovascular disease (CVD).
- To compare these findings with a control group admitted for acute surgical disorders.
Main Methods:
- A consecutive series of 209 patients admitted for acute CVD.
- Comparison with 209 matched control patients admitted for acute surgical disorders.
- Assessment of various circulatory manifestations and established risk factors for atherosclerosis.
Main Results:
- CVD patients exhibited significantly higher rates of myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, and reduced toe blood pressure compared to controls.
- Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, overweight, and elevated hemoglobin were also overrepresented in the CVD group.
- Male CVD patients reported higher alcohol consumption than their control counterparts.
Conclusions:
- Acute cerebrovascular disease in the elderly is strongly associated with hypertension and generalized atherosclerosis.
- The accumulation of primary risk factors in elderly stroke patients suggests their contribution to a progressive atherosclerotic process.
Abstract:
The occurrence of various circulatory manifestations and risk factors was evaluated in a consecutive series of 209 patients admitted for acute cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and 209 control patients admitted for acute surgical disorders. Old and recent myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure and reduced arterial blood pressure in the big toe were all much more frequently noted in CVD patients than in their matched controls. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, overweight, high haemoglobin values, were also overrepresented in the CVD patients. Male CVD patients had a higher alcohol consumption than their controls. These findings implicate that CVD in old age is strongly related to both hypertension and a generalized atherosclerosis. The heavy accumulation of primary risk factors, many of which are considered to be primarily associated with atherosclerosis among elderly stroke victims, may indicate their contribution to a progressive atherosclerotic process still in operation.