Hematocrit level in patients with stroke or ischemic heart disease, Khorasan, 2002-2003

Introduction: Elevated hematocrit is associated with high blood viscosity and
could lead to vascular thrombosis. The purpose of this study is to compare
hematocit of ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction patients.
Methods: All of the patients with ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction (MI)
admitted in Vali-e-asr Hospital, Khorasan during 2002-2003 enrolled in this
descriptive analytical study. Diagnosis of ischemic stroke and MI was made by
neurologists and cardiologists. HCT was calculated with computerized complete
blood count. T test and Chi-Square test were used for analysis and p<0.05 was
declared as significant.
Results: 208 stroke patients and 306 MI patients were investigated. Elevated
HCT was found in 9.5% of females with stroke and 9.8% of females with MI
without a significant difference. Elevated hematocrit was also found in 5.4% of
males with stroke and 7.1% of males with MI. Comparing mean HCT of females
and males between stroke and MI groups did not reveal significant differences.
Conclusion: Case control and cohort studies are recommended for evaluation of
elevated HCT as a risk factor of ischemic stroke and MI.