Aim To investigate the illness perception of patients with ischemic stroke, and to analyze its influencing factors. Methods 103 patients with ischemic stroke were investigated by the self-made general situation questionnaire, the Chinese illness perception questionnaire-revised (CIPQ-R), United States National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) and simplified coping style questionnaire (SCSQ). Survey data were statistically analysed by using single factor variance analysis and multiple linear regression. Results The score of identity dimension in patients with ischemic stroke was 3.11±2.53, the score of consequences dimension was 16.95±4.39, the score of emotional representations dimension was 18.45±5.50. The multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the influencing factors of the illness perception were the age, gender, home address, occupation, and NIHSS score. Conclusion The patients with ischemic stroke have a negative illness perception, and medical staff should improve it by taking targeted interventions according to the main influencing factors.