Variable blood pressure a new stroke risk factor

A new British research suggests that extremely variable blood pressure, and not just high blood pressure, can greatly increase a person’s risk of stroke.

Researchers found that people with the greatest variation in systolic blood pressure (the higher of the 120/80 readings) over seven visits to their doctor were six times more likely to have a major stroke. People with the highest blood pressure readings were 15 times more likely to have a stroke.

The findings challenging established medical wisdom about blood pressure and stroke and may also affect the choice of the first drugs prescribed for blood pressure control.