Stroke Risk among Older Adults

Abstract

Stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability among older adults worldwide, making early risk identification vital for prevention and timely intervention. This study was conducted to assess stroke risk among elderly individuals attending the outpatient department. A descriptive quantitative design was employed, with 60 participants recruited through convenience sampling based on inclusion criteria. Ethical clearance and administrative approval were secured prior to data collection. Information was obtained via self-report, using a standardized stroke risk assessment instrument. Data analysis involved both descriptive statistics for demographic and risk profiles and inferential tests to explore associations. Results showed that 41.7% of participants were aged 65 years, with 61.7% male, most being married (76.7%), of the Hindu faith (76.7%), and residing in rural areas (58.3%). Stroke risk distribution indicated 45.0% at moderate risk, 23.3% at low risk, 20.0% at very low risk, and 11.7% at high risk. Chi-square analysis revealed no significant associations between stroke risk levels and demographic variables including age, sex, education, marital status, religion, employment, residence, or family type (p > 0.05). In conclusion, a substantial proportion of elderly individuals were at moderate to high risk of stroke, underscoring the need for routine screening, health education, lifestyle modification, and preventive strategies to promote healthy aging.