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Lowering blood pressure helps stroke patients

A new study has shown patients whose blood pressure is lowered quickly after suffering a stroke, have reduced bleeding of the brain.

The report suggests that lowering blood pressure rapidly after a stroke could reduce the risk of death and disability.

The stroke study

Researchers from The George Institute for International Health in Sydney, Australia studied 404 patients from 44 hospitals who had all suffered a stroke or intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH).

Those patients whose elevated blood pressure was lowered rapidly through treatment had an improved recovery and suffered less disability.

Researchers conclusions

The lead researcher Prof Anderson said, "These results show that drug treatment to lower elevated blood pressure can be given quickly and safely to patients with intracranial haemorrhage (stroke)."

He added, "This treatment appears to limit bleeding in the brain in this type of stroke, which may improve chances of recovery for patients."

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