[EVALUATION OF THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ANTIHYPERTENSIVE TREATMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF STROKE]

An ischemic stroke is an event that occurs due to cerebral vascular disease and is directly related to the degree of vascular damage. This process is associated with atherosclerosis progression and is influenced by the presence of cardiovascular risk factors.

One of the goals of our research was to examine whether specific medications used for treating hypertension are associated with the development of strokes.

In a retrospective study of patients who were hospitalized between the years 2003-2008 due to a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or a transient ischemic attack (TIA), 916 cases of stroke patients were reviewed. The patients were examined for the presence of background diseases including cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, renal failure, coronary artery disease).

In the study, the most common stroke type was ischemic stroke (70.2%), one quarter of the patients (24.6%) suffered from TIA, and the smallest number of patients had hemorrhagic stroke (5.2%). The study demonstrated a discrepancy between the blood pressure level that was measured in the ER and the type of stroke. Also no correlation was observed between the blood pressure level measured in the ER, and the appearance of a recurring stroke.

According to the analyzed data, no priority could be given to any of the six groups of drugs that treat hypertension in preventing a recurring event of stroke. However, the drug combinations of diuretics and ACEI, and that of CCB with ACEI were preferred to all other drug combinations. For more accurate assessment of the level of balance of cardiovascular risk factors and medications against the disease, it is necessary to extend the survey, as well as perform a prospective randomized study.