Increased arterial stiffness and haemorrhagic transformation in ischaemic stroke after thrombolysis: A new marker of risk for cerebrovascular events and complications

Essential hypertension is the most frequent cardiovascular risk factor in the general population, and its prevalence is even higher in specific subsets of high-risk individuals, such as elderly, patients with diabetes, coronary artery disease or stroke [1]. In view of the large prevalence and growing incidence, as well as in view of the strong and independent correlation between high blood pressure (BP) levels and increased risk of major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications, mostly including myocardial infarction, stroke, congestive heart failure and cardiovascular death [2], several studies have addressed the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the progression from asymptomatic structural and functional abnormalities induced by sustained high BP levels at heart and vessel levels toward acute onset of coronary syndromes and stroke.
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research