A prospective hospital-based study involving 115 consecutive Chinese patients with computed tomography diagnosis of putaminal or thalamic haemorrhage was performed. Their demographic and clinical data were collected and analysed. Two major findings evolved from the study-the majority of patients were younger than those in Caucasian series and 49% of patients had previously diagnosed hypertension; 52% of these were not compliant with their antihypertensive medication. This study concludes that haemorrhagic stroke is a serious health problem in Hong Kong. Improvements in health education and the primary care system in the management of hypertension would help to reduce the incidence of haemorrhagic stroke.