Background: Stroke remains a major cause of morbidity, long-term disability, and mortality despite the progress in stroke prevention and management. Control of modifiable risk factors is the most effective prevention of stroke. The current study was conducted to identify the pre-stroke lifestyle and the role of the known risk factors and their relation with stroke.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study took place in the Stroke Units throughout Riyadh hospitals, Saudi Arabia. The study included both male and female Saudi stroke patients over 40 years old. The data were gathered using a specially designed questionnaire. It included a series of close-ended questions about the patient health condition before the stroke, as well as patient lifestyle and knowledge of stroke risk factors.
Results: This study included 172 Saudi stroke patients who completed the questionnaire. Males accounted for 68% of the studied patients. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM) were recorded in 70.9% and 66.8% of patients, respectively. Lifestyle risk factors included a lack of regular exercise followed by smoking in 91.3% and 37.2% of participants, respectively. Smoking and DM were the most common stroke risk factors recognized by respondents (54.1% and 46.5%, respectively), while few respondents recognized the risk of coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation (25.0% and 20.3%, respectively).
Conclusion: Lack of exercise and smoking were the most frequent lifestyle risk factors. Also, hypertension and DM were the most prevalent conventional risks. The study also revealed the lack of sufficient awareness of the studied subjects about stroke risk factors. Therefore, multiple stroke awareness campaigns are highly recommended.
Key words: Stroke, risk factors, lifestyle, prevention, awareness, Saudi Arabia
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