RISK-FACTORS OF STROKE INCIDENCE AND MORTALITY - A 12-YEAR FOLLOW-UP OF THE OSLO STUDY

Background and Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine t he risk factors of stroke incidence and mortality. Methods: Our data a re based on a prospective cohort study of men aged 40 to 49 years afte r 12 years of follow-up. Results: In age-adjusted Cox proportional-haz ards regression analysis of 14 403 healthy men, diastolic blood pressu re was a stronger predictor for stroke incidence and mortality than sy stolic blood pressure. Smoking was a stronger predictor of mortality t han of incidence. However, there was no dose-response relation among s mokers by increased cigarette consumption. Total serum cholesterol was a significant (P<.05) risk factor for stroke mortality and of borderl ine significance (P=.08) for stroke incidence. Increased physical acti vity at leisure was associated with reduced stroke incidence but not m ortality. The myocardial infarction risk score comprising systolic blo od pressure, total serum cholesterol, and daily cigarette smoking was a strong predictor of mortality and incidence. Body mass index, trigly cerides, blood glucose, and physical activity at work were not found t o be risk factors for stroke. Conclusions: Reduction of blood pressure , cessation of smoking, lowered cholesterol, and increased physical ac tivity at leisure are individual measures to reduce the risk of stroke .