Stroke survivors being treated against guidelines

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.