Risk factor profile in patients with stroke at a young age

AbstractBackground The distribution of risk factors for stroke is related to gender and age. The main objective of study was to determine the type and frequency of stroke risk factors in patients with first-in-life stroke before the age of 50.Methods Our study included patients under the age of 50 with first-in-life stroke. The following data obtained from all participants were analyzed: a neuroimaging of the head, wide panel of blood tests, electrocardiogram, transesophageal echocardiography, ultrasound of the carotid/cerebral arteries. 24-hour ECG monitoring and angio-MRI of head were performed in most patients.Results One hundred and eighty-four patients were qualified into the study; mean age – 39 years (female 45%). The female gender was significantly more often associated with diabetes, carotid/cerebral artery stenosis, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy and risk factors associated with lifestyle. More than half of the patients presented at least two risk stroke factors. The most frequent categor...