European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: Stroke in the young is particularly tragic because of its potential to create a long- term burden on the victims, their families, and the community. Stroke is one of the most important causes of high morbidity and mortality allover the world. Stroke was defined by World Health Organization criteria as rapidly developing clinical signs of focal, at times, global disturbance of cerebral function lasting for more than 24 hours or leading to death with no apparent cause other than vascular origin. Materials and Methods: 50 patients (29 males and 21 females) were included in the study. Detailed history taking and clinical examination were done and neurological deficits were identified. Other than routine investigations lumbar puncture for CSF analysis, electrocardiography, lipid profile, homocysteine levels and CT scan were done for all the patients. Other investigations such as echocardiography, Doppler etc were done as clinically indicated. Results: Smoking 40% [90%CI (28.6-51.4%)], hypertension 56% [90%CI (47.24-69.76%)], alcohol consumption 26% [90%CI (15.8-36.2%)], Dyslipidemia was present in 40% (90% CI(28.6-51.4%)of the patients. These were the risk factors associated with stroke in young. Conclusion: The major risk factors for stroke in young patients were smoking, alcohol consumption, hypertension and dyslipidemia, homocysteinemia. Migraine, OCP use were uncommon associated risk factors. Atherosclerosis was the most common cause of stroke in young. Cortical vein thrombosis was quite common among females.