Background: Although serum lipids are an independent risk factor for arteriosclerosis, the relation
between serum lipids and CVA has not been clarified.
Objective: This study aimed to compare the serum lipid profile in patients with ischemic and
hemorrhagic CVA.
Methods: This is a descriptive project included 60 patients of hemorrhagic and 60 of ischemic
stroke on the first day after hospital admission at Emam Reza hospital in Birjand(Iran) over a period
of 1 year from April 2000 to April 2001. Exclusion criteria were smoking, overt diabetes,
cardiovascular disease, and patients on antihypertensive and lipid lowering drugs. Types of stroke
investigated by CT scanning and serum lipids level (Ch, TG, HDL, LDL) were measured in the
morning of night fasting on the first day after admission. Analysis of data was done by student t-test.
Findings: Total cholesterol level was 180±6.26 and 187±5.9 and HDL-Ch level was 64.8±2.56 and
56.25±2.4 in patients with hemorrhagic and ischemic CVA respectively (P<0.05). On comparing the
other lipid levels between cerebral hemorrhage and ischemia no significant difference was observed
Conclusion: We come in conclusion that higher HDL-Ch and lower total cholesterol levels are
associated with hemorrhagic stroke. This verifies the protective role of atherosclerosis effect of
cholesterol on preventing of hemorrhagic stroke.