The importance of good blood pressure control in the prevention of stroke recurrence in hypertensive patients

Abstract

SummaryOne hundred and twenty-four patients (70 men and 54 women) who were treated for hypertension after a stroke, between 1968 and 1976, were studied. Twentyone (11 men and 10 women) developed a second stroke after a mean period of just over 2 years. The women who had a stroke recurrence had higher initial systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) as well as higher achieved BP. The men with recurrence had no significant difference in initial BP but had higher BP on treatment. Patients who achieved BP of < 160 mmHg systolic or 90 mmHg diastolic had a low incidence of recurrent stroke. Good BP control in hypertensive patients prevents stroke recurrence but may be difficult to achieve.

Stroke Recurrence Is More Frequent in Blacks and Hispanics

“…The Lehigh Valley Recurrent Stroke Study noted that the degree of control of hypertension was associated with a decreased risk of stroke recurrence after ischemic stroke [14]. A study in Glasgow of hypertensive patients with a history of stroke found that good blood pressure control prevented stroke recurrence [21]. Another small British study found that the recurrence rate in hypertensive stroke survivors was closely related to the adequacy of control of hypertension [22].…”

The Effect of Circadian Blood Pressure in The Development of Lacunar Infarcts, Together with Other Possible Factors

“…In dipper patients being treated with antihypertensive medications, who had additional new silent ischemic lesions, stenosed arterial lesions were demonstrated (Figure 7) [20]. Controlling high blood pressure is effective in preventing stroke recurrence [22] and preserving cerebral blood flow [23]. The diurnal change of autonomic nervous system activity is closely involved in the diurnal BP variation pattern [24].…”