STUDY TO DETERMINE THE RISK FACTORS IN ACUTE ISCHEAMIC STROKE PATIENTS

Objective: Stroke is extremely common in our set up, it is associated with high risk of mortality, morbidity and permanent disability but very little is known about it by the general public in a developing country like Pakistan. So the main objective of the study was to find out the clinical presentation and the risk factors associated with acute ischemic stroke and to know about the general public awareness about stroke. Study Design: Descriptive /cross-sectional study Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Medical Units of Mayo Hospital Lahore for the duration of six months from January 2020 to July 2020. Materials and Methods: Adult 183 male and female patients of acute ischemic stroke admitted through emergency and medical OPD in medical units of Mayo Hospital Lahore were included in study. Following detailed history and clinical examination they were subjected to relevant investigations and CT brain. Patients with finding of bleed on CT and those having venous infarct were excluded. Results: Hyperlipidemias, hypertension, diabetes and smoking were the major risk factors causing ischemic stroke in our sample of patients. Other risk factors given in detail below were also present, atrial fibrillation was found to be common risk factor in elderly population. 24% of patients presented with re stroke. Conclusion: It was concluded that majority of patients were unaware of the risk factors causing stroke, so if we as a professional not only treat them but also educate them the incidence of stroke can be considerably reduced in society. Key Words: Ischemic stroke, risk factors of ischemic stroke, stroke and diabetes