RISK FACTORS FOR STROKE AND TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC STROKE IN PATIENTS

Introduction: Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a transient episode of neurologic dysfunction caused due to loss of blood flow to the brain or spinal cord without acute infarction. Objectives: The main objective of the study is to analyse the risk factors for stroke and TIA’s in Pakistani local community. Material and methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in Civil hospital Karachi during 2019. The data was collected from 100 patients. The data was collected through systematically designed questionnaire. Data regarding past stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) symptoms were recorded along with relevant neurological examinations. A 25 item self-administered questionnaire was used to get relevant information. Results: The data was collected from 100 patients of stroke and TIA’s. Among the responders, 103 (61.90%) were males and 47 (38.10%) were females with an average age of 50 ± 15 years. Paralysis of a complete body side or an arm or a leg was experienced by 125 (23.81%) patients at least once in the life time knowing stroke as the underlying cause, of which 25 (19.0%) patients reported an event of sudden paralysis experienced during the last year. Conclusion: It is concluded that hypertension and diabetes were the two commonest non communicable diseases (cardiovascular) risk factors in these patients, followed by hypercholesterolemia, smoking, and use of smokeless/chewable tobacco.