Anti-hypertensive therapy for acute ischemic stroke survivors

Background and objective

Anti-hypertensive medications are recommended for prevention of recurrent ischemic stroke in hypertensive and normotensive patients. The objective of this study was to analyze the use of anti-hypertensive therapy in acute ischemic stroke survivors.

Methods

All ischemic stroke survivors discharged from Al-watani governmental hospital in Palestine from August 2006 until September 2007 were investigated. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, and different classes of anti-hypertensive medications prescribed to stroke survivors were analyzed using SPSS 15.

Results

One hundred and twenty four ischemic stroke survivors were identified, of which 80 (64.5%) had a documented history of hypertension (HTN). Two thirds of the survivors (n = 82; 66.1%) were prescribed anti-hypertensive medications, mostly as mono-therapy, at discharge. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) 65 (45.6%), followed by diuretics 41 (34.5%) were the most common drug classes prescribed. ACEI were used in combination with diuretics in 29 (23.4%) survivors. Among survivors with a documented history of HTN, 70 (85.5%) were prescribed anti-hypertensive medications at discharge while 12 (8.5%) of survivors with no history of HTN were prescribed anti-hypertensive medications at discharge.

Conclusion

In this study, the use of anti-hypertensive medications as a mono-therapy was common among those with a history of hypertension but not among those without a history of hypertension.