Disturbance of trace element balance increases the risk of cerebrovascular disease and, above all, ischemic stroke (IS). A comparative analysis of clinical and demographic parameters and trace element composition of hair was performed in the group of 30 ischemic stroke patients with arterial hypertension (AH) and 30 stroke patients without hypertension (mean age 55±7 years). The stroke patients with hypertension were characterized by the elevated body mass index (28.5±4.1 kg/m2, AI, 26.0±2.9 kg/m2, p=0.006), higher incidence of coronary heart disease (p=0.04). Alcohol consumption more than 3 drinks a week was associated with a 5-fold increase of the risk of stroke with hypertension (95% CI 1.0-27, p=0.035). The results revealed a number of statistically significant differences in trace element profile in the studied groups of patients: deficits of essential magnesium, manganese, cobalt, copper, zinc, a statistically significant increase in sodium levels, toxic and conditionally toxic trace elements (cadmium, mercury, bismuth, barium, etc.). One of the probable factors that lead to the accumulation of toxic trace elements in stroke patients is the increased consumption of alcohol including that of substandard quality. The data obtained also show the feasibility of implementing screening programs to assess micronutrient status (including trace elements) for early detection of pathological abnormalities in the elemental homeostasis that might lead to an increased risk of ischemic stroke and hypertension.

Disturbances of the microelement balance increase the risk of cerebrovascular disease and, above all, ischemic stroke (IS). In this paper, a comparative analysis of clinical and demographic parameters and trace element composition of hair was performed in the group of 30 ischemic stroke patients with arterial hypertension (AH) and 30 stroke patients without hypertension (age 55 ± 7 years). The results revealed a number of statistically significant differences in microelement profile in the studied groups of patients: deficits of essential magnesium, manganese, cobalt, copper, zinc, statistically significant increase in sodium levels, toxic and conditionally toxic trace elements (cadmium, mercury, bismuth, barium, etc.). The data obtained also show the feasibility of implementing screening programs to assess micronutrient status (including microelements) for early detection of pathological abnormalities in the elemental homeostasis that might lead to an increased risk of ischemic stroke and hypertension.

The article presents a comparative analysis of microelement composition of hair in 60 subjects with ischemic stroke (IS) and 20 verification subjects having no neurological conditions and/or arterial hypertension (AH). The major risk factors associated with arterial hypertension (AH) were found to be alcohol consumption, obesity and ischemic heart disease (IHD). The results showed a considerable divergence in microelement composition of IS patients, namely magnesium, ferrum, copper, zink, selenium deficiency with immediate excessive values of sodium, toxical barium and lead. Indications of ferrum deficiency and lead excess in the subgroup of IS subjects having no AH, were revealed to be the most significant deviations of microelement composition markers. The obtained data on the differences in the microelement composition profile may be considered as valuable additional information in ischemic stroke risk evaluation among the described contingent of patients.

The results of the Russian and foreign researchers' studies on the role of micronutrients in the pathogenesis of cerebrovascular lesions, particularly, that of ischemic stroke are summarized in the review.