A Descriptive Study to Assess the Risk of Stroke among Patients with Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus at a Selected Hospital, Bangalore

Objective: Stroke is a major public health problem, both in developed and developing countries. Stroke is becoming an important cause of early death and disability in India due to increasing prevalence of the major key modifiable risk factors like type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Hence there is an urgent need for recognition of stroke risk factors and its warning signs. With this intention the present study aimed to assess the risk of stroke among patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: A non-experimental, descriptive survey method was adopted. Samples were selected by using quota sampling technique and 60 hypertensive and type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected for the study. Data were collected by an interview technique using a modified stroke risk assessment tool by the National Stroke Association, USA. Results: Out of 60 samples 48.3% of them were in high-risk category, 28.3% were in caution and 23.3% in low-risk category. There was a significant association found in relation to socio demographic variables such as education qualification, type of family, type of diet, weight and complications of hypertension (P<0.05). Discussion: The findings of the study suggested that there is an increased risk of stroke in hypertension and type 2 diabetes patients which can be aggravated by other risk factors and co-morbid conditions. Hence modifying these risk factors by changing lifestyle can help in prevention of stroke. Keywords: Stroke, risk assessment, hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus, comorbid conditions.