1 in 2 Stroke Survivors has High Blood Pressure

Researchers have found frightening statistics between high blood pressure and stroke: about 47% of stroke survivors have poorly managed high blood pressure.

The startling study results were presented at the 2012 American Stroke Association’s International Conference:

“The study involved almost 500 adult stroke survivors who participated in a national survey from 1999 to 2004. A total of 72% reported they’d been diagnosed with high blood pressure at some point in their lives.”

The study not only noted the connection between high blood pressure and stoke, but that nearly half of the stroke survivors had poorly controlled blood pressure.  The study also pointed out that there is a striking difference between stroke survivors and heart attack survivors; heart attack survivors are more likely to keep their blood pressure at a healthy level.

Specific factors also increased a stroke survivor’s likelihood of having poorly managed high blood pressure, including:  having diabetes, being older, being a woman, or Hispanic heritage, the study indicated.

A recent article on WebMD.com notes:

“Both doctors and stroke survivors need to be more aggressive about treatment, says American Stroke Association spokesman Daniel Lackland, DrPH, professor of epidemiology and neuroscience at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.

There are several different classes of medication that work to lower blood pressure in different ways, and often a patient needs more than one type, he tells WebMD. So once a patient is started on one class of drug, it shouldn’t be assumed that it will bring blood pressure under control, Lackland says. Patients may be reluctant to add another drug due to cost or potential side effects, but it could be lifesaving, he says.”

Is your high blood pressure in check?

]]> http://www.healthtrendsresearch.com/2012/03/stroke-and-high-blood-pressure-a-dangerous-pair/feed/ http://www.healthtrendsresearch.com/2012/02/have-high-blood-pressure/ http://www.healthtrendsresearch.com/2012/02/have-high-blood-pressure/#comments Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:21:00 +0000 cmarzilli http://www.healthtrendsresearch.com/?p=107