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Cerebrovascular risk factors in an elderly Austrian population: first year results of the Austrian Stroke Prevention
H Lechner1, R Schmidt, B Reinhart
1Department of Neurology, Karl Franzens University, Graz.
Insights
This study found high rates of vascular risk factors, including hypertension and dyslipidemia, in elderly Austrians. Overweight and age independently predicted risk factor frequency, highlighting stroke prevention needs.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Public Health
Background:
- Cerebrovascular disease poses a significant health burden.
- Identifying prevalent risk factors in aging populations is crucial for effective stroke prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of cerebrovascular risk factors in an elderly Austrian population.
- To investigate associations between risk factors and carotid atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Enrolled 599 volunteers aged 50-70 without cerebrovascular disease symptoms.
- Conducted extensive risk factor screening and Duplex scanning of carotid arteries in a subset (n=176).
- Utilized multiple linear regression analysis to identify predictors of risk factor frequency.
Main Results:
- High prevalence of arterial hypertension (40.6%), cardiac disease (35.4%), and dyslipidemia (75%).
- Body mass index and age were independent predictors of risk factor frequency.
- Carotid atherosclerosis found in 61.9%, associated with age, smoking, and apolipoprotein B levels.
Conclusions:
- Elderly Austrian communities exhibit high vascular risk factor prevalence.
- Overweight, age, smoking, and dyslipidemia are key factors associated with increased stroke risk and carotid atherosclerosis.
- Findings underscore the need for targeted stroke prevention programs in this demographic.
Abstract:
During the first year the Austrian Stroke Prevention Study enrolled 599 volunteers without clinical signs or symptoms of cerebrovascular disease aged 50 to 70 years. Study participants were randomly selected from the official register of the city of Graz. The rate of positive response was 26.9 percent. All subjects underwent an extensive risk factor screening with Duplex scanning of the carotid arteries obtained from a subset of 176 individuals. The prevalence of well-documented cerebrovascular risk factors was 40.6% for arterial hypertension, 35.4% for cardiac disease, 8.5% for diabetes mellitus und 3% for elevated haematocrit. The less well-documented cerebrovascular risk factors dyslipidemia, overweight, physical inactivity, hyperfibrinogenemia and smoking were noted in 75%, 33.7%, 27.2%, 14.9% and 12.2% of subjects, respectively. Multiple well-documented risk factors were noted in 23.7% of the examined volunteers. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed body mass index (p < 0.0001) and age (p < 0.0001) as independent predictors of the frequency of well-documented risk factors observed in any individual. Atherosclerotic carotid disease occurred in 61.9% of study participants investigated by Doppler sonography and was significantly associated with age (p < 0.00001), life-time tobacco consumption (p < 0.0001) and the concentration of apolipoprotein B (p < 0.05). This study demonstrates high prevalence rates of vascular risk factors in an elderly Austrian community. Implications for stroke prevention result from the conjunction of overweight and frequency of risk factors noted in any study participant, as well as from the relationship of carotid atherosclerosis to smoking and dyslipidemia.