See what guidelines your doctor is following.
http://www.newsfix.ca/2013/06/04/stroke-survivors-being-treated-against-guidelines/
According to a study, too many patients hospitalized for stroke are being treated for high blood pressure inappropriately.
High blood pressure is a risk factor for stroke so it’s right that
medication is given for stroke prevention. However, once someone has had
a stroke it’s a different matter. Only those with very high blood
pressure ought to continue medication or be started on it in the days
after the stroke has happened.
That’s because lowering of blood pressure can impede the flow of
blood in the damaged part of the brain. Ten years ago, clinical
guidelines on which patients should have blood pressure lowering drugs
were issued. Researchers at Tufts University report on how the
guidelines are being followed – or not. Looking at the medical records
of 154 patients admitted to Bayside Medical Center for stroke, they
learned that only a minority had high blood pressure serious enough to
warrant medication. That is, 17 per cent of those who had previous
medication continued and 35 per cent who had their medication
intensified fell into this group. And only 26 per cent of those whose
medication was started in hospital met the guideline criteria. In other
words, there is too much treatment of high blood pressure in those who
have had a stroke, which may be putting people at risk.
No comments:
Post a Comment