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Prehypertension subtype with elevated C-reactive protein: risk of ischemic stroke in a general Japanese population

Fumitaka Tanaka1, Shinji Makita, Toshiyuki Onoda

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Morioka, Japan. xtc@rio.odn.ne.jp

American Journal of Hypertension
|July 3, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Prehypertension increases cardiovascular risk, but high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) can identify those at higher risk for ischemic stroke. Elevated hsCRP in prehypertension predicts short-term stroke risk in the general population.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Inflammation Research
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Prehypertension (PreHT) and low-grade inflammation are linked to cardiovascular events.
  • Identifying high-risk individuals among PreHT subjects is crucial for preventing ischemic stroke.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels can predict the risk of future ischemic stroke in prehypertension subjects.
  • To stratify prehypertension individuals based on hsCRP levels to identify a high-risk group for ischemic stroke.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study involving 22,676 general population subjects aged 40-80 years without prior cardiovascular history.
  • Baseline measurement of serum hsCRP and follow-up for ischemic stroke incidence over a mean period of 2.7 years.
  • Cox multivariable regression analysis adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors.

Main Results:

  • No significant difference in ischemic stroke risk was found between normotensive and prehypertension subjects overall.
  • Prehypertension subjects with higher hsCRP levels showed a significantly increased risk of ischemic stroke compared to normotensive subjects with lower hsCRP levels (HR = 2.63).
  • Prehypertension subjects with lower hsCRP levels had a similar risk of ischemic stroke as normotensive subjects with lower hsCRP levels.

Conclusions:

  • High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) serves as a valuable marker for predicting short-term ischemic stroke risk in prehypertension subjects.
  • Stratification by hsCRP levels can identify individuals with prehypertension who are at elevated risk for ischemic stroke.
  • These findings support the use of hsCRP in risk assessment for ischemic stroke within the prehypertension population.
Abstract

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