Stroke is one of the major public health problems worldwide. Determining the cerebrovascular risk factors (RF) is very important in the efforts of primary and secondary stroke prevention. The aim of the study was to establish the frequency of RF in patients with ischaemic (IS) or haemorrhagic stroke (HS) hospitalized in the stroke unit in the Department of Neurology of the Silesian Medical University from August 2000 to June 2002. We analysed data of 229 patients (29 with HS and 200 with IS). Functional outcome was evaluated by use of modified Rankin scale, Barthel Index and Scandinavian Neurological Stroke Scale at discharge. Statistical analysis was performed with Student's t-test, coefficient of correlation and multivariate logistic regression. 94.8% (n = 217) of all the patients had one or more RF. The most common RF were: hypertension (78.2%), coronary heart disease (54.2%), obesity (29.2%), diabetes mellitus (24.8%) and dyslipidaemia (24%). No correlation between the number of RF and functional outcome at discharge was observed. Cigarette smoking (p < 0.01) and alcohol abuse (p < 0.005) were more frequent in young patients (< 55 years). Previous ischaemic stroke was more common in older patients (>55 years). In male patients cigarette smoking and alcohol abuse were found more frequently than in female (p < 0.001). The mortality in examined patients was 22.2% (20.4% in patients with IS and 45.8% with HS). Male gender (p < 0.05), history of previous cardiac infarction (p < 0.05) and previous ischaemic stroke (p < 0.01) were associated with increased mortality. The other variables studied did not show significant differences.