Risk factors of stroke at high and low altitude areas in Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

The study's finding of an increased frequency of thrombotic stroke at high altitude was explained by increased hematocrit which might have caused this in conjunction with other factors such as hypertension and IHD. Larger studies are recommended for better clarification of interaction between high altitude and other established risk factors not included in this study, such as sickle cell anemia and congenital heart diseases in young patients.