Transient Ischemic Attacks and Risk of Stroke in an Elderly Poor Population

Abstract

The significance for stroke and correlates of transient ischemic attacks (TIA) were studied prospectively in a population of 2,772 persons aged 65 to 74. The prevalence of TIA at the beginning of the study was 63 per 1,000. TIA prevalence was substantially higher among blacks and women than among whites and men. Only 13% of those with TIA were free from any other major evidence of cardiovascular disease. White men, black men and black women with TIA had higher observed incidence rates of stroke than those without TIA. White women were a notable exception to this trend. There was a positive association between frequency of TIA and risk of stroke. Those with TIA and hypertension experienced higher stroke incidence rates than normotensive persons with TIA.