Stroke: incidence and risk factors.

The incidence of stroke was estimated prospectively in a total population of 2,502 persons over age 65 who resided in homes for the aged. The incidence in persons born in Asian and African countries was close to that in persons born in European countries. No sex differential was found in either ethnic group, and there was no significant increase in the incidence of stroke with advancing age in either sex. In the European population, prior heart disease was the strongest risk-increasing factor, ranking ahead of hypertension. Diabetes mellitus was not associated with a higher risk of stroke among the women; the findings for the men were inconclusive. In the Afro-Asian population, the risk of stroke was related to heart disease and diabetes mellitus but was not associated with blood pressure. Total serum cholesterol or relative weight was not associated with stroke in either group. The early establishment of programs for the control of hypertension and stroke appears most desirable.