Haemorrhagic stroke prevalence increasing in UK’s South Asian population

From The World Heart Foundation's press release :

" BEIJING, 18 JUNE 2010 : Haemorrhagic stroke prevalence is increasing among the UK’s South Asian population comprising of Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and Sri-Lankans, due to an increase in one of its key risk factors, high blood pressure (hypertension), according to new data presented today at the World Congress of Cardiology (WCC) Scientific Sessions in Beijing, China.

The prevalence of haemorrhagic stroke increased significantly among South Asians during the study (27.7 per cent in 1997-1999; 29.5 per cent in 2000-2002; and 45.8 per cent in 2003-2005, whilst the prevalence of the condition decreased in European Caucasians during the same period. Similarly, the prevalence of hypertension – the main risk factor for haemorrhagic stroke – also increased in the South Asian group over the same time period (84.6 per cent in 1997-1999 to 88.9 per cent in 2003-2005) but remained the same in European Caucasians.

Haemorrhagic stoke accounts for 10 to 30 per cent of all stroke admissions to hospital. It is associated with several risk factors including hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia, which are becoming increasingly prevalent among ethnic minority groups. An understanding of secular trends in the prevalence of haemorrhagic stroke admissions and in-hospital mortality in a multi-ethnic population is required to delineate the needs for providing a dynamic healthcare service, not only in multi-ethnic UK but also rapidly developing countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri-lanka."