Stroke risk factors in couples. A population-based study in community-dwelling adults living in a remote rural setting (the Atahualpa Project)

Purpose: By the use of a population-based design, this study aimed to evaluate the presence of similar stroke risk factors in couples living in a remote rural setting (Atahualpa). Methods: Atahualpa residents aged 40 years were identified by means of door-to-door surveys, and those who signed a comprehensive consent form were enrolled in the Atahualpa Project. Baselines interviews and procedures, aimed to assess stroke risk factors, were collected at the time of admission in all participants. Results: We identified 268 couples among 898 individuals aged 40 years enrolled in the Atahualpa Project. Traditional risk factors were defined according to the American Heart Association criteria. Generalized estimating equations, adjusted for age, showed that being married to a spouse with poor physical activity (p = 0.027) and a poor diet (p < 0.001) were associated with the presence of these risk factors in the other partner. Conclusions: Intervention strategies directed to couples are needed to improve poor healthy styles leading to stroke in underserved populations.