Stroke is a leading cause of death and permanent disability. High blood pressure (BP) is the major risk factor for both types of stroke. The two types of stroke happen when there is either a bleed in the brain or when the blood supply to a part of the brain is cut off by a clot. Up to a third of patients will have a repeat stroke within five years of their first. There is very good evidence showing that reducing BP levels to less than 140/90 mm Hg really reduces the risk of a repeat stroke. As a result, in Europe it is recommended that patients who have had a stroke should have their BP reduced to less than 140/ 90 mmHg. Based on recent, less strong evidence, the American Heart Association have adopted a more aggressive target of 130/80 mm Hg. It is not known what levels of BP control patients in Irish general practice are achieving.
We will work with ten Irish general practices to identify patients who have suffered a stroke. We will record their recent BP levels, their medications and other types of diseases which they may have. We will report if the BP levels are below the European or American guidelines and whether practices differ in their BP management. These patients will then be ready to be enrolled into the TASMIN5S international trial led by the University of Oxford. This will ensure that Irish patients and general practices participate in leading international stroke research.
