Hypertension and Stroke

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the US and a leading cause of disability among adults. Stroke is not an accident but occurs in relation to a number of risk factors or antecedents. Hypertension is the most important modifiable risk factor for stroke, and blood pressure level may play an important role in determining outcome after acute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. Hypertension remains poorly controlled in the community at-large, and once stroke occurs clinicians are not certain about proper management of blood pressure during the acute, subacute and chronic periods after stroke. Given the importance placed on hypertension as a risk factor for stroke and new data which is now available from clinical trials regarding management of hypertension for stroke prevention and after stroke, a compendium is needed to concisely summarize the available data on hypertension and stroke and direct clinicians about proper treatment of blood pressure.