Published in:
Neuroepidemiology, 17 (1998) 4, Seite 179-187
Language:
English
DOI:
10.1159/000026171
ISSN:
0251-5350;
1423-0208
Origination:
Footnote:
Description:
The current trends in stroke incidence require continued efforts to improve primary prevention. Compared to large-scale public health approaches, more limited programs targeting volunteers may offer some advantages. We invited all 12,824 members of a health insurance company program who lived within 50 km from one of two study sites to participate in a vascular screening program aimed at reducing modifiable risk factors. 1,837 persons registered and participated (14.3%, mean age 53 ± 12 years, 50% men). Using the Framingham stroke risk profile for persons aged 55 years or above (n = 961, 52.3%), 97 stroke events can be predicted for this age group within 10 years. The majority of these 97 events will occur in those with mean resting blood pressure values ≥140 mm Hg (systolic) or ≥90 mm Hg (diastolic; 420 persons, mean age 64 ± 7 years, 60 expected events), or with a particularly high age- and sex-adjusted risk (288 persons, mean age 68 ± 7 years, 60 expected events). Our pilot study provides an estimate of the prevalence of modifiable vascular risk factors among volunteer participants of a prevention program. Possible benefits of this approach will be investigated in a second step using a randomized intervention.