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Stroke and transient ischaemic attack - Management
What blood pressure lowering treatment is recommended for someone who has had a stroke or TIA?
- All people with stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) should have their blood pressure checked and be offered antihypertensive treatment in line with national guidelines:
- For people with a TIA: consider starting antihypertensive treatment as soon as possible.
- For people with an acute stroke: treatment will usually be initiated in secondary care about 2 weeks after the event (unless a hypertensive emergency requires urgent reduction in blood pressure).
- Optimal target blood pressure:
- For people with established cardiovascular disease: aim to reduce blood pressure to 140/90 mmHg or less, and preferably to 130/80 mmHg.
- For people with bilateral, severe (more than 70%) stenosis of the internal carotid arteries: a slightly higher target blood pressure (e.g. systolic blood pressure 150 mmHg) may be appropriate.
- For information and prescription details, see the CKS topic on Hypertension - not diabetic for people without Type 2 diabetes; otherwise, see the CKS topic on Diabetes type 2.
In depth
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