Summary

Elevated blood pressure (BP) levels are important in predicting primary and secondary prevention of stroke, but not much is known about the role of elevated BP in the acute stroke situation. This article presents data from the Control of Hypertension and Hypotension Immediately Post-Stroke [CHHIPS] pilot study, which assessed the safety and effectiveness of lowering BP following acute stroke in patients aged >18 years with symptom onset <36 hours lasting more than 60 minutes, a clinical diagnosis of suspected stroke (neuroimaging required within 72 hours of randomization), and SBP >160 mm Hg.