Blood pressure fluctuations ‘a new stroke risk factor’
March 12th, 2010 - 1:24 pm ICT by ANILondon, Mar 12 (ANI): Extremely variable blood pressure, and not just high blood pressure, can greatly increase a person’s risk of stroke, researchers have said.
To reach the conclusion, UK and Swedish researchers looked at the variability in blood pressure readings at doctors’ checks, reports The BBC.
They found those with fluctuating readings at different GP visits had the greatest risk of future stroke regardless of what their average blood pressure reading was.
According to Professor Peter Rothwell of the Department of Clinical Neurology at the University of Oxford, who led the research, the finding has major implications for how GPs spot and treat people at high risk of stroke.
“At the moment, the guidelines for GPs say not to believe a one-off unusual reading, to bring the patient back and measure again, and as long as it’s not consistently high, there is no need to treat.
“What we’re saying is don’t discount that one-off high blood pressure reading.”
“If you get rapid fluctuations that can cause turbulent flow of blood which can cause damage and stiffening in the arteries,” said Professor Rothwell. (ANI)
- Variability, high blood pressure increase stroke risk - Mar 22, 2010
- Extra cup of coffee can double stroke risk - Dec 12, 2010
- Slightly high BP raises chances of stroke - Sep 29, 2011
- Increasing coffee intake 'doubles stroke risk' - Dec 12, 2010
- Fluctuating BP linked to cerebrovascular disease risk - May 11, 2010
- High risk of heart disease in preadolescent kids with type 1diabetes - Feb 15, 2011
- Novel method treats stroke via television - Dec 22, 2010
- Accidental Discovery Reveals That Brain Stimulator Lowers Blood Pressure - Jan 25, 2011
- Heart attack risk higher for women whose mothers had strokes - Feb 02, 2011
- Clogged arteries can also cause clouded thinking - Jul 22, 2011
- Olive leaf pill may help combat heart trouble - Apr 16, 2011
- Vaccines for heart attacks to be ready within 5 years - Apr 01, 2012
- Aspirin cuts cancer risk - Mar 21, 2012
- Drinking tea cuts blood pressure - Jan 28, 2012
- Why drugs increase risk of heart attacks, strokes - Feb 24, 2011
Tags: arteries, average blood pressure, bbc, blood pressure fluctuations, blood pressure readings, checks, clinical neurology, doctors, gp visits, high blood pressure, high risk, professor peter, rapid fluctuations, risk factor, rothwell, stroke risk, swedish researchers, turbulent flow, university of oxford, variability
