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Updated: Jun 12, 2025

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
Investigating secondary hypertension in cerebrovascular disease
Claudia Zeicu1, Marie Fisk2, Nicholas Richard Evans3
1Department of Stroke Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK claudia.zeicu@nhs.net.
Insights
Hypertension significantly increases stroke risk, especially in younger adults. Promptly identifying secondary hypertension causes through specialist services is crucial for effective blood pressure control and reducing cardiovascular events.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Hypertension is a primary global cause of stroke.
- Stroke incidence is rising in individuals under 64, mirroring increased hypertension prevalence.
- Secondary hypertension affects 5%-10% of hypertensive patients, necessitating clinical vigilance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To offer a clinical viewpoint on identifying secondary hypertension causes.
- To present investigation algorithms for stroke and hypertension patients.
- To emphasize early hypertension specialist service involvement.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on secondary hypertension and stroke.
- Analysis of clinical guidelines and research on hypertension management.
- Development of diagnostic pathways for secondary hypertension in stroke patients.
Main Results:
- Stroke incidence has risen by 30%-41.5% in those under 64.
- Hypertension prevalence increased by 4%-11% in the same demographic.
- Secondary causes are present in 5%-10% of hypertension cases.
Conclusions:
- Clinicians must suspect secondary hypertension in relevant cases.
- Investigating secondary causes is vital for stroke and hypertension patients.
- Early specialist intervention improves outcomes and reduces morbidity.
Abstract:
Hypertension is the leading cause of stroke in the UK and worldwide. In recent years, stroke incidence has increased by 30%-41.5% in people aged under 64 years, with the prevalence of hypertension increasing by 4%-11%. Given that 5%-10% of people with hypertension in the general population have an underlying cause for their elevated blood pressure, it is important that all clinicians should maintain a high clinical suspicion for secondary hypertension. This review provides a clinical perspective of when to consider the underlying causes of secondary hypertension, with investigation algorithms for patients presenting with stroke and hypertension. Early involvement of hypertension specialist services is important to identify secondary causes of hypertension, as its effective control reduces cardiovascular-associated morbidity.
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