[Control of arterial hypertension in stroke prevention]

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Neurology
• Clinical Pharmacology

Context:

• Epidemiological data reveal arterial hypertension as a major risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
• Hypertension triples the risk of coronary heart disease mortality and increases stroke risk sixfold.
• Effective management of hypertension is crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the efficacy of antihypertensive therapy in secondary prevention of cerebrovascular events.
• To assess the role of ACE inhibitors, specifically perindopril, in patients with a history of acute cerebral circulation disorder.

Summary:

• The PROGRESS trial investigated the benefits of antihypertensive treatment in patients with prior cerebrovascular events.
• Patients receiving the ACE inhibitor perindopril demonstrated significant improvements in secondary prophylaxis.
• Antihypertensive therapy was shown to substantially decrease the risk of recurrent strokes and ischemic heart disease.

Impact:

• This study highlights the critical role of blood pressure control in managing patients at high risk for stroke and heart disease.
• Findings support the use of perindopril as a key component in the secondary prevention strategy for individuals with a history of cerebral circulation disorders.
• The research underscores the public health importance of addressing hypertension to mitigate the burden of cardiovascular and neurological diseases.