Objectives : The aim of this study was to assess the distribution of general characteristics and risk factors according to onset time in acute stroke patients. Methods : We studied hospitalized patients within 4 wks after the onset of stroke who were admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine at Kyunghee University Oriental Medical Hospital, Kyunghee University East-West Neo Medical Hospital, Kyungwon University Songpa Oriental Medical Hospital, Kyungwon University Incheon Oriental Medical Hospital, and Dongguk University Ilsan Oriental Medical Hospital from April 2007 to August 2008. The 24-hour day was divided into quartiles (6:00 to 12:00, 12:00 to 18:00, 18:00 to 24:00 and 24:00 to 6:00). We analyzed the general characteristics and risk factors according to onset time in acute stroke patients. Results : 468 subjects were included into the final analysis. 1. The most common time period for ischemic stroke onset was between 6:00 and 12:00. It demonstrated a 50% excess risk between 6:00 and 12:00. 2. On the demographic variables of the patients, the rate of hypertension was significantly higher from 18: 00 to 24: 00 than 24:00 to 6:00. 3. There was no significant difference of stroke type, Sasang constitution, or lifestyle between times. 4. According to the blood test, high density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly higher at 24:00 to 6:00 and lower at 12:00 to 18:00 than other time-groups. 5. The patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome were significantly more at 12:00 to 18:00 and fewer at 24:00 to 6:00. 6. Hypertension and coffee drinking showed close relationship with patients whose stroke occurred while awake in multivariate analysis. Conclusions : The above results showed that the overall tendency of acute stage cerebral infarction patients varied according to their onset time. These results can be utilized in the future as a basis material.