RISK FACTORS FOR FIRST STROKE IN WOMEN LESS THAN 50

Objectives: To determine the risk factors of first stroke in young women. Material and Methods: Thirty seven young female patients admitted in medical ward were included. Clinical assessment and relevant investigations were carried out to identify the frequency of various risk factors. Results: Out of these 37 patients, 8 (21%) had hemorrhagic stroke and 29 (79%) had ischemic stroke. Valvular heart disease was the most important risk factor for stoke and seen in 15 (51.7%) of ischemic stroke followed by hypertension and diabetes mellitus in 6 patients each (20.6% each) Mitral stenosis was the most common cardiac lesion. In hemorrhagic stroke, 5 (62.5%) had valvular heart disease and the presented with intracranial bleeding due to warfarin toxicity. One patient (12.5%) had hypertension and one (12.5%) vascular malformation. Conclusion: Valvular heart disease is the most common risk factor observed for first stroke in young females, (51.7%) followed by hypertension (20.6%) and diabetes mellitus (20.6%) each.