dc.description.abstract
Introduction: Stroke is the third leading cause of death worldwide. The WHO indicates that vascular diseases are one of the main causes of mortality in the world population. In Spain, they are the leading cause of death among women, especially stroke. It can be caused by non-modifiable or modifiable vascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure, dyslipidaemia, tobacco consumption, diabetes mellitus, among others. The set of these risk factors and their poor control, can lead to the appearance or recurrence of a stroke.
Aims: Study the risk of stroke in the Girona Health Region in people who have participated in the World Stroke Day campaign.
Methodology: Transversal observational study, carried out on the International Day of Stroke in the city of Girona in the years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Socio demographic variables, vascular risk factors, family and clinical history, pharmacological treatments and the risk of atrial fibrillation have been analyzed through the CHA2DS2-Vasc scale. All participants agreed to do the interview and gave their verbal consent. Previously, they were informed about the anonymity of the surveys. The data has been introduced and analyzed with the statistical program SPSS statistics version 25 (IBM).
Results: A sample of 1016 people participated, of which 60,8% were women. The average age of the participants was 58,20 years (DS 15,04). In 2024 the highest percentage of surveys was obtained with 20,7%. In contrast to vascular risk factors, 33,2% claimed dyslipidaemia, 31,6% hypertension, 38,6% family history of stroke and 7,4% had suffered at least one stroke during their lifetime. Regarding vascular risk factors based on biological sex, men had a higher prevalence of arterial hypertension compared to women (41,3% versus 25,2%; p<0,05). In relation of dyslipidaemia, too, the prevalence was higher in men, without statistical significance (34,2% versus 32,6%; p>0,05). In terms of stroke history, the prevalence was also higher in men (9,5% versus 6,1%; p>0,05). With regard to the risk of atrial fibrillation using the CHA2DS2-Vasc scale, 39,7% obtained a value of 1 point, and 23,5%, 3 points or more.
Conclusions: With regard to vascular risk factors, more than one third of the participants claimed to have a family history of stroke; one third had dyslipidaemia; and just under one third, hypertension. However, a quarter of respondents had a risk of atrial fibrillation. The role of the nurse is key given the importance of controlling these vascular risk factors in stroke prevention
