Elevated blood pressure is present in more than 60% of patients with acute stroke. Moderate to severe hypertension affects stroke outcomes, yet the optimal management has been a gray area in the care of such patients. Although new data are changing the approach, particularly for hemorrhagic events, significant questions remain. This article presents the latest evidence on hypertension in the setting of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke and highlights management considerations that are relevant to emergency medicine.
Copyright © 2014 American College of Emergency Physicians. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.