Cerebrovascular Accident Risk Factors in Patients with Stroke in Nourology Ward of Ali Ibn Abitaleb Hospital, Rafsanjan

Background: C.V.A is an important health problem.  Efforts to reduce the incidence of C.V.A are essential and such attempts should be based on the knowledge of risk factors.  In this study C.V.A risk factors were evaluated. Materials and Methods: We used a case control method. The cases comprised of 146 patients admitted to stroke unit with acute stroke.  The controls comprised of 147 participants free of stroke. Two groups were matched by sex, age and place of residence. Diagnosis of stroke was based on clinical findings and the results of MRI.  The risk factors included high blood pressure, diabetes, history of cardiovascular diseases and smoking. Results: The mean age of the study group was 63.8 years and the control group was 63.4.  Mean of the risk factors in the study group was 2.3±1.3 and in the control group was 1.3±1.2 which shows a significant difference between the two groups P<0.01.  Prevalence of risk factors such as hypertension, atrial fibrillation (AF), diabetes mellitus, smoking and coronary artery disease were significantly higher in the case group (P<0.05).  In laboratory finding only fasting blood sugar was significantly higher in the case group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Control of C.V.A risk factors significantly reduce this fatal health problem.  This study showed that the accidental risk factors include high blood pressure, smoking, diabeties and cardiovascular diseases. Keywords: Cerebro vascular accident, Risk factors, Rafsanjan