BACKGROUND: The role of stroke risk factors as a determinant of clinical outcome is not well established. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of stroke risk factors in patients with ischemic stroke by determining whether or not they contribute to stroke severity and disability after ischemic stroke. METHODS: Subjects were 433 patients with ischemic stroke. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were used to assess the severity of neurological deficit and clinical disability respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relation of stroke risk factors to stroke severity and disability. RESULTS: Among stroke risk factors, atrial fibrillation was significantly correlated with NIHSS (P<0.001) and mRS scores (P=0.006). Hypertension and age were significantly correlated with mRS scores (P=0.010, P=0.018, respectively). CONCLUSION: Atrial fibrillation was an independent factor associated with severe stroke and disability. Hypertension, and older age were independently correlated with serious disability after ischemic stroke.