The Open Epidemiology Journal ISSN: 1874-2971

[DOI: 10.2174/1874297100902010039]
Experience of Stroke Warning Symptoms is Associated with an Adverse Cardiovascular Risk Profile
Amy Z. Fan, Donald K. Hayes, Henry S. Kahn, Kurt J. Greenlund and Janet B. Croft Pp 39-43

Population-based studies may provide convincing evidence on whether persons experiencing stroke warning symptoms manifest an adverse cardiovascular risk profile regardless of a history of stroke. Data were analyzed for 9728 US adults aged ≥ 40 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey1988-1994. Stroke warning symptoms were defined as experiencing one or more of the following for more than 5 minutes: sudden onset of weakness or paralysis of face, arm, or leg; numbness on one side of the face or body; loss of vision in one or both eyes; severe dizziness; or problem with ability to speak or understand. In an analysis excluding those with a history of diagnosed stroke, compared with those who had never experienced stroke symptoms, persons who had experienced symptoms manifested significantly (P<0.05) greater prevalence of diabetes, other cardiovascular diseases, and had significantly higher diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, serum triglycerides, ratio of total to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen and significantly lower HDL cholesterol after adjustment for age, sex, and race/ethnicity. Persons who experienced stroke warning symptoms during their lifetime manifested more adverse cardiovascular profiles even though they may not have had a diagnosed stroke. Further risk assessment is recommended for these persons and actions are needed to improve their cardiovascular health.




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