Is Blood Pressure Reduction Beneficial in Stroke?
According to a recent study, candesartan does not produce beneficial effects in stroke patients and in fact may cause harm.
High blood pressure increases the risk of developing stroke. Patients with hypertension often have stiffened arteries, due to deposition of cholesterol, the condition known as atherosclerosis. Very high blood pressure could also lead to bleeding within the brain, resulting in stroke. Treatment of hypertension is associated with a decrease in stroke. However, it is not yet clear whether reducing blood pressure in patients who have already suffered from a stroke is beneficial.
Patients who suffer from stroke often have a high blood pressure. The high blood pressure in these patients could be due to prior hypertension, stress, damage to the brain or a rise in pressure around the brain. High blood pressure in stroke patients has been shown to increase the risk of brain edema and bleeding in the brain. However, some researchers feel that reducing blood pressure in such patients lead to decrease in blood supply to the brain and can further worsen stroke. Studies with a calcium channel blocker nimodipine have indicated that reduction of blood pressure in stroke patients can further add to the damage.
Candesartan is a blood pressure lowering drug belonging to the group of angiotensin II receptor blockers. A recent study was conducted to find out if candesartan provides benefit in stroke patients by reducing blood pressure. The patients were followed to determine if they experienced changes in functional outcomes or if they suffered from further complications like stroke, heart attack and death.
The researchers found that reducing blood pressure does not provide beneficial effects in these patients. In fact, it may have some harmful effect especially in functional outcomes.
Further studies using different blood pressure lowering drugs may be required to establish their role in the treatment of stroke.
Reference
- Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 17th edition
- The angiotensin-receptor blocker candesartan for treatment of acute stroke (SCAST): a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. The SCAST Study Group. The Lancet, Volume 377, Issue 9767, Pages 741 - 750, 26 February 2011
Source: Medindia
Cite this Article ⇣⇡
Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:
-
APA
Dr. Simi Paknikar. (2011, March 04). Is Blood Pressure Reduction Beneficial in Stroke?. Medindia. Retrieved on Nov 28, 2024 from https://www.medindia.net/news/healthwatch/is-blood-pressure-reduction-beneficial-in-stroke-81728-1.htm.
MLA
Dr. Simi Paknikar. "Is Blood Pressure Reduction Beneficial in Stroke?". Medindia. Nov 28, 2024. <https://www.medindia.net/news/healthwatch/is-blood-pressure-reduction-beneficial-in-stroke-81728-1.htm>.
Chicago
Dr. Simi Paknikar. "Is Blood Pressure Reduction Beneficial in Stroke?". Medindia. https://www.medindia.net/news/healthwatch/is-blood-pressure-reduction-beneficial-in-stroke-81728-1.htm. (accessed Nov 28, 2024).
Harvard
Dr. Simi Paknikar. 2011. Is Blood Pressure Reduction Beneficial in Stroke?. Medindia, viewed Nov 28, 2024, https://www.medindia.net/news/healthwatch/is-blood-pressure-reduction-beneficial-in-stroke-81728-1.htm.