Study Links Pre-high Blood Pressure to Increased Stroke Risks

People with blood pressure readings slightly above the normal level have increased risk for strokes, according to a study by the American Academy of Neurology.

Researchers analyzed data from 19 studies involving more than 760,000 participants to assess the risk of stroke in people with pre-hypertension or blood pressure slightly above 140/90mm Hg. These participants were followed for a period from four to 36 years. The participants who were reported having pre-high blood pressure were between 25 and 54 percent.

It was found that people with pre-high blood pressure had 66 percent increased risk of developing strokes compared to those with normal blood pressure readings. The researchers noted that factors like high cholesterol levels, diabetes and smoking habits did not have any impact on the findings.

Nearly, 20 percent of stroke cases reported in the study were due to pre-high blood pressure.

The subjects were further divided into groups with high and low pre-hypertension levels, with blood pressure above 130/85 in high range. The stroke risks for people in high and low range were 95 and 44 percent, respectively.

Dingli Xu, study author from the Southern Medical University in Guangzhou, China, said in a news release, "These findings, if confirmed, have important takeaways for the public. Considering the high proportion of the population who have higher than normal blood pressure, successful treatment of this condition could prevent many strokes and make a major difference in public health,"       

High blood pressure increases risks of  heart diseases and strokes, which are the two leading causes of death. According to data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in three American adults have blood pressure and only 47 percent keep the condition under control.

Xu said, "Pre-hypertension should be managed with changes in diet and exercise to help reduce the risk of stroke."

The researcher advice against taking medications meant for blood pressure by those with pre-high blood pressure. Further study is needed to identify medications and test their safety in treating pre-high blood pressure.