Experience of Stroke Warning Symptoms is Associated with an Adverse Cardiovascular Risk Profile

Population-based studies may provide convincing evidence on whether persons experiencing stroke warning symptoms manifest an adverse cardiovascular risk profile regardless of a history of stroke. Data were analyzed for 9728 US adults aged � 40 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey1988-1994. Stroke warning symptoms were defined as experiencing one or more of the following for more than 5 minutes: sudden onset of weakness or paralysis of face, arm, or leg; numbness on one side of the face or body; loss of vision in one or both eyes; severe dizziness; or problem with ability to speak or understand. In an analysis excluding those with a history of diagnosed stroke, compared with those who had never experienced stroke symptoms, persons who had experienced symptoms manifested significantly (P<0.05) greater prevalence of diabetes, other cardiovascular diseases, and had significantly higher diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, serum triglycerides, ratio of total to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen and significantly lower HDL cholesterol after adjustment for age, sex, and race/ethnicity. Persons who experienced stroke warning symptoms during their lifetime manifested more adverse cardiovascular profiles even though they may not have had a diagnosed stroke. Further risk assessment is recommended for these persons and actions are needed to improve their cardiovascular health.