Stroke in elderly; identification of risk factors.
BACKGROUND
This study was undertaken to identify stroke risk factors prevalent in our elderly population.


METHODS
The subjects included 100 consecutive stroke patients with recent stroke, at or above the age of fifty years, both sexes inclusive, who presented at medical units of Liaquat Medical College Hospital Hyderabad. A detailed history of the patients was taken, thorough clinical examination was done and various laboratory tests were carried out to identify all the possible risk factors for stroke in the subjects.


RESULTS
Most important risk factors prevalent in our population were found to be hypertension (64%), diabetes mellitus (29%), smoking (29%), heart disease (23%), obesity (17%) and hypercholestraemia (15%).


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that in elderly stroke patients, many risk factors are identified. Awareness of these risk factors, their early and effective treatment and adaptation of various preventive measures is warranted.
Ansari
A K
AK
Department of Physiology, Liaquat Medical College, Jamshoro.
Akhund
I A
IA
Shaikh
A Q
AQ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology*