[Risk factors in patients with stroke].

The prevalence of risk factors in relation to age was analysed in 470 patients with ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke. In all patients the most frequent risk factor was hypertension: 54-72% in haemorrhagic stroke, and 44-49% in ischaemic stroke. Moreover, in both types of stroke in the group aged up to 50 years the proportion of heavy smokers was high: 54% in haemorrhagic and 44% in ischaemic stroke. In the group aged 51 to 65 years coronary disease was present in 44% of haemorrhagic and 41% in ischaemic stroke. In patients aged 65 years coronary disease was present in 59% of haemorrhagic strokes and in 33% of ischaemic strokes. Arrhythmia was noted in 45% of haemorrhagic and 36% of ischaemic strokes. The presence of risk factors had an influence not only on the incidence of strokes but also on their course and prognosis, this was true especially of ischaemic stroke, since in dying patients, especially those aged below 50 years, the prevalence of hypertension, smoking and coronary disease was higher. In patients aged over 65 years mortality was higher in those with arrhythmias and coronary disease.