Correlation between cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and risk factors

Abstract

Worldwide, CVD is a health problem with a growing trend. It is estimated that timely control of risk factors can prevent it in 80%. CVD risk increases as the number and severity of predisposing conditions increase. For this reason, it is essential to evaluate and prevent cardiovascular risk factors. Goals: To identify risk factors in people with cerebrovascular disease. and to know pharmacological measures of secondary prevention in these patients.

Prospective, cross-sectional study conducted from January to June 2022. 102 patients from the HNC neurology clinic were included. Age range from 49 to 94. All patients with cerebrovascular disease of different types were included through anamnesis, clinical history and neuroimaging.

47% were women. 41% had 3 or more risk factors, 24% had 2 risk factors, 18% had only one risk factor. 15% reported no history of disease. 46% had chronic vascular suffering, 37% ischemic lesions and 17% lacunar infarcts, in neuroimaging. Hypertension was the most common risk factor found with 63%, followed by diabetes with 33%, previous strokes with 16 %, cardiovascular pathology 20% alcohol and smoking 13%, and 11% others. Of the patients with symptomatic cerebrovascular disease (37%), only 27% indicated compliance with treatment for secondary prevention of cerebrovascular events.

CVD is caused by modifiable and treatable risk factors. The relationship is direct between injury and ischemic brain damage. CVD is a risk factor in itself. The main factors found coincide with the literature. The factors that cause or predispose to cerebrovascular disease are important not only to know and prevent them, but also to control them properly. The low number of patients who comply with treatment is striking. Promoting greater control could reduce the prevalence of CVD and consequently the disability and death it generates