Modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for ischemic stroke: a descriptive approach

Abstract

Ischemic stroke is a persistent focal neurological deficit that occurs by proximal obstruction of an artery by a thrombus, arterial plaque, or compression by tumor. In this sense, there are several risk factors that are associated with this event. However, there are few studies that show this issue. Thus, this study bringsthe main modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors of stroke. In this purpose, the current study analyzed several cross-sectional studies, prospects and cohorts in several countries, especially in the last six years. The main journals consulted for this study were The New England Journal of Medicine, Springer, Lancet, Stroke and Circulation - American Heart Association (AHA), Journal of the American College of Cardiology. All of these journals are indexed to Pubmed Central®, database used in this work. For this research, the following terms were used: “ischemic stroke AND modifiable risk factors”, “ischemic stroke AND non-modifiable risk factors”, “ischemic stroke AND hypertension”, “ischemic stroke AND atrial fibrillation”, “ischemic stroke AND diabetes mellitus”, “ischemic stroke AND dyslipidemia”, “ischemic stroke AND obesity” and “ischemic stroke AND smoking”. It was observed that the main non-modifiable factors are: age, sex, race, geographic location and heredity. The main modifiable factors are: hypertension, atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, obesity and smoking. The knowledge of these risk factors for cerebral ischemia may justify prevention and self-care measures with this vascular event.