Hypertension, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, inflammation and the risk of stroke

Abstract

After coronary heart disease (CHD) and cancer of all types, stroke is the third commonest cause of death worldwide. Prospective, population-based, observational studies show a continuous, positive relationship between hypertension and risk for stroke. Diabetes and metabolic syndrome were more frequent among the patients with stroke. Inflammation with presence of serum markers such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is an important predictor of atherosclerotic disease, coronary risk and stroke, particularly in patients with hypertension and diabetes. The role of inflammation (as reflected by hsCRP) and the combined effect of hypertension, diabetes and metabolic syndrome in the prediction of risk of stroke are less defined. The present study was therefore designed to evaluate the association of hypertension, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and inflammation, in the prediction of risk of stroke. Hundred patients were recruited for the study, of which, fifty belongs to control and fifty were test group. For the entire study population hsCRP, sugar level, hypertension and lipid profiles were measured. Considerable variability was found between control and test group. Consequently, detection of inflammation is very important in stroke patients with hypertension and diabetes, in order to determine the possible risk factors and stratify post stroke patients into risk groups.