Study of Clinical Profile of Cerebrovascular Accident in Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

 Introduction: Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, significantly affecting quality of life and posing a heavy socioeconomic burden. The present study was undertaken to analyzed clinical profile of stroke patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital, with a focus on demographic characteristics, risk factors, and clinical presentations. Material and Methods: This observational prospective study was conducted in the Department of General Medicine, including all patients >18 years admitted with CVA between July 2023 and June 2025. Diagnosis was established using clinical and radiological criteria. Patients with trauma-related stroke, transient ischemic attacks, unstable hemodynamic status, pregnancy were excluded. Demographic data, risk factors, clinical features were systematically recorded and analyzed. Results: A total of 180 patients were studied. The majority were aged 61–75 years (77.78%), with males comprising 60% of cases. The most common presenting complaint was weakness (31.67%), followed by visual disturbances (15.56%) and seizures (12.22%). Gradual onset of symptoms was reported in 65% of patients, while 35% presented with sudden onset. A positive family history of CVA was observed in 48.33%, and personal risk factors included smoking (30.56%) and alcohol consumption (26.67%). Hypertension was the most prevalent comorbidity, with 67.78% of patients showing elevated blood pressure. Neurological evaluation revealed 69.44% of patients were disoriented, 26.11% had non-fluent or fluent aphasia, and significant motor weakness was noted in the majority, with 62.22% showing 0–2/5 power. Conclusion: The study highlights that CVA predominantly affects elderly males, with hypertension, smoking, alcohol consumption being key risk factors. Weakness and visual disturbances were the most common presenting features. Early identification of risk factors and timely intervention remain crucial for reducing stroke incidence and improving outcomes.