Risk factor-related lifestyle habits of hospital-admitted stroke patients - an exploratory study

Aims and objectives: To describe and explain the lifestyle habits of hospital-admitted stroke patients by identifying relationships between the different lifestyle habits and by examining associations between them and clinical measurements.

Background: Stroke is associated with several risk factors that are closely intertwined. However, lifestyle factors have profound effects on its incidence. It has been shown that healthy lifestyle habits are associated with a reduced stroke risk both in combination and independently.

Design: A cross-sectional, exploratory study.

Methods: Data were collected from stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients (n = 150) in an acute neurology unit in Finland between January 2010 and October 2011 using the Lifestyle Instrument. Data analysis was performed by cross-tabulation of variables, factor analysis, analysis of variance and logistic regression.

Results: Patients with a mean age of 56·5 participated. Based on their body mass index, most were overweight (43·2%) or obese (31·8%). Their waist circumference levels indicated significant health problems in most cases (70%). Their mean glucose (5·6 mmol/l) and blood pressure (149·9/86·7 mmHg) levels were also above the guideline values. The participants had diverse risk factor-related lifestyle habits. There were several statistically significant differences between the different lifestyle habits and most of the clinical data were at least partly explained by the lifestyle habits.

Conclusions: The participants in this study had many lifestyle habits that are associated with stroke risk factors, exposing them to an elevated risk of a new stroke in the future.

Relevance to clinical practice: It is an important obligation for nursing staff courageously to bring up the lifestyle habits at the hospital phase and point out that there is a relationship between them and stroke incidence and that secondary stroke can be prevented or made less likely by adopting a healthy lifestyle.