We compared the prevalence of self-reported history of stroke in participants with systolic HF from 3 different geographic regions (Houma, LA; Miami, FL; and Tbilisi, Georgia, Eastern Europe). We examined the prevalence of stroke/adjusting for patient demographic and health characteristics. Stroke prevalence was reported by 79 (7.8 % ) of 1017 participants from Louisiana, 51 (9.2 % ) of 556 participants from Florida, and 5 (1.3 % ) of 383 participants from Georgia. After multivariable adjustment, the prevalence of stroke was significantly lower in Georgia compared to Florida and Louisiana sites. Patients on β-blocker medication were 3.58 times (95 % CI 1.96-6.55) more likely to report stroke compared to those without β-blockers (×2 = 19.5, P ≤ .0001). There were significantly fewer participants on β-blockers from Georgia (7 % ) compared to participants from Florida (87 % ) and Louisiana (94 % ; (×2 = 24.3, P<.001).
Self-reported stroke prevalence in participants with HF was not consistent among the 3 sites. These differences in prevalence may in part be explained by the lower reported use of β-blockers in the Georgia site. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether β-blockers increase the risk of stroke in HF population.