Stroke Subtypes and Outcomes in Hypertensive Patients at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: The global burden of stroke is increasing alarmingly, with hypertension reported as the most prevalent risk factor. The aim
of this study was to assess stroke among patients with hypertension as well as the factors associated with 30 days mortality at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.

Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study of adult hypertensive patients who received a clinical diagnosis of a stroke between January 2022 to December 2023. Sociodemographic, clinical and brain imaging data and were recorded, along with mortality at 30 days. Data was analysed by using SPSS version 25.

Results: A total of 311 patients were admitted with a diagnosis of stroke of which, 249 (80.1%) were hypertensive. The mean age of the
hypertensive stroke patients was 60.7±12.1years, 140(56.2%) were women and 226(90.8%) of these patients were aware of their hypertensive status. Brain imaging revealed that 194(77.9%) patients had an ischaemic stroke while 55(22.1) had a haemorrhagic event. At the end of 30 days, 62(24.9%) persons died and there was a significant relationship between increasing age and mortality (p=0.021), while the mean systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in the hypertensive patients that died (p=0.045).

Conclusion: Hypertension is a major risk factor for stroke morbidity and mortality. Urgent measures are needed to improve on blood pressure control as these may potentially reduce stroke occurrence rates in hypertensive subjects.