A stress-related explanation to the increased blood pressure and its course following ischemic stroke

Christopher Elnan Kvistad,Halvor Oygarden,Nicola Logallo,Lars Thomassen,Ulrike Waje-Andreassen,Gunnar Moen,Halvor Naess Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway Background: A hypertensive response after ischemic stroke is frequent, yet its pathophysiology is unknown. Mechanisms related to local ischemic damage, major vascular occlusion, and psychological stress due to acute illness have been proposed. We assessed the natural course of blood pressure (BP) within the first 24h in groups of ischemic stroke patients with different characteristics. We hypothesized that a consistent BP reduction, regardless of stroke location, time window from debut to admission and presence of persistent vascular occlusion, would favor a stress-related mechanism as an important cause of the hypertensive response after ischemic stroke. Methods: Ischemic stroke patients (n=1067) were prospectively registered, and BP was measured on admission and