Showing papers by "Patricia M. McNamara published in 1965"

Vascular Disease of the Brain—Epidemiologic Aspects: The Framingham Study

Abstract: The epidemiologic features of thrombotic brain infarction in comparison to myocardial infarction both presumed manifestations of atherosclerosis were studied over a 12-year period in 5106 men and women aged 30-62. All were examined prior to the study and found to be free of both coronary heart disease and vascular disease of the brain. In the 12-year period 167 myocardial infarctions and 57 thrombotic brain infarctions occurred. A marked male predominance was noted in myocardial infarction but no predominance of either sex was noted in thrombotic infarction of the brain. In men only the incidence of brain infarction lagged 20 years behind that of myocardial infarction. Thrombotic brain infarction was much more common accounting for 63% of all "stroke" events than either subarachnoid hemorrhage and embolus to the brain or the most lethal type hemorrhage into the brain which occurred only 4% of the time. The incidence of both myocardial and thrombotic brain infarction increased with age. High risk factors included elevated blood pressure or serum cholesterol electrocardiographic abnormalities excessive smoking and a low vital energy. Generally the factors which predisposed to the development of the 1 disease also predisposed to the development of the other. Persons with any 2 of the high risk factors were usually susceptible. Obesity was not a risk factor in either disease.