In this study, the authors document the characteristics of South Asian (SA) cerebrovascular patients. A retrospective medical record review comparing SA (n = 99) and European-American (n = 106) patients was performed. SA patients were younger and had a greater prevalence of diabetes, but lower prevalences of hyperlipidemia and tobacco use. SA patients experienced a 75% lower risk of cardiogenic infarctions, but a threefold increased risk of intracranial atherothrombosis. Risk factor modifications and secondary prevention strategies may differ for SA patients.