Comparison between stroke patients and normal subjects on hypertension and blood biochemical parameters

Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate the profile of serum lipids, vitamin C and
minerals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Ca) in stroke patients and compared with control subjects. Out
of 72 patients 72.3% were male and 27.7% were female. The age of the patients
ranged from 25 to 75 years and the mean age was 54.3 years. CT scan o f the brain
showed that 81.9% had cerebral infarction and only 18.1% had intracerebral
hemorrhage. Hypertension was found in 63.9% patients. This study demonstrated a
strong association between hypertension and stroke. No significant difference was
found between the mean serum total cholesterol of stroke patients (168.9 mg/dl) and
control (169.5 mg/dl). On the other hand, the mean serum HDL-cholesterol level of
the ischaemic patients (28.6 mg/dl) was significantly lower compared to the control
subjects (34.4 mg/dl) but not with hemorrhagic patients (32.3mg/dl). The mean
serum LDL-cholesterol levels among two types of stroke patients and control subjects
did not differ significantly. The mean value of triglyceride levels in cerebral infarction
(209.0 mg/dl) was significantly higher than that of the intracerebral hemorrhage
(188.7 mg/dl) and control (157.2 mg/dl). The results suggested that lower level of
HDL-cholesterol and higher level of triglyceride are some o f the risk factors for the
incidence o f stroke. The stoke patients, especially intracerebral hemorrhage had
significantly (P<0.05) lower vitamin C levels (1.2mg/dl) compared to the control
(2.4mg/dl) and a close correlation was also postulated between vitamin C and the risk
for the incidence of stroke. The mean serum iron, zinc, copper and calcium levels in
cerebral infarction patients were significantly lower than that o f control subjects
suggesting that inadequate intake of these minerals may also be responsible for the
incidence o f cerebral infarction although physiological significance of these findings
need further investigation.