Little change of modifiable risk factors 1 year after stroke: a pilot study

Abstract

Background: Recurrent stroke accounts for about 25% of admissions for acute stroke. For the prevention of recurrent cerebro and cardiovascular disease, stroke patients are advised to change modifiable stroke risk factors before discharge from stroke units.

Aims: To investigate the change in modifiable risk factors 1 year after stroke and to explore the feasibility of a preventive programme aimed at stroke patients discharged from hospital.

Methods: From April 2004 to February 2005, 173 patients admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of stroke were consecutively included and interviewed about their medical history and modifiable risk factors before stroke. One-year follow-up with measurement of blood pressure was performed in 92% of surviving and able participants.

Results: One year after discharge, 121 participants were reinterviewed and 118 had their blood pressure measured. We found uncontrolled hypertension in 43 of 65 patients (66% of those receiving antihypertensive medication) and unknown hypertension in 30 of 53 patients (57% of those without antihypertensive medication). There was a reduction in the prevalence of excessive consumption of alcohol from 24 of 121 patients (20%) to 16 of 121 patients (13%) (P<0.05). The frequency of cigarette intake remained unchanged: 57 of 121 patients (47%) 1 year after stroke. The proportion of patients who were physically inactive increased from 36% (43 of 121 patients) before stroke to 59% (71 of 121) 1 year later (P<0.0001).

Conclusions: The change in modifiable risk factors was inadequate 1 year after stroke. The pilot study indicated that a preventive programme should focus on hypertension, smoking and physical inactivity.