The course of blood pressure in acute stroke is related to the severity of the neurological deficits.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate how soon after stroke the diagnosis of hypertension could be established.


METHODS
In a prospective study including 1192 patients with acute stroke within 6 h, blood pressure was measured serially at 2-h intervals during the first 24 h. Results are presented as mean arterial blood pressure (MAP). The Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS) assessed the neurological deficit.


RESULTS
In 779 patients with mild to moderate ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and SSS > 25, MAP was 118 mmHg (CI 95%: 116-119 mmHg) on admission and 109 mmHg (CI 95%: 108-110 mmHg) 4 h later (paired t-test, P < 0.001). No such early decrease was observed in 228 patients with severe cerebral infarction (CI). In mild to moderate ischaemic stroke or TIA, MAP at 24 h was not different from MAP at 3 months in paired t-test.


CONCLUSIONS
Blood pressure 24 h after admission in patients with mild to moderate CI or TIA was representative of the patient's blood pressure 3 months after stroke. A diagnosis of arterial hypertension can be established a few days after stroke.
Christensen
H
H
Department of Neurology, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. hc04@bbh.hosp.dk
Meden
P
P
Overgaard
K
K
Boysen
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013997:Time Factors