Ischemic stroke, arterial hypertension, medication adherence

Stroke is the second most common cause of mortality worldwide and the third most common cause of disability. Hypertension is the most prevalent risk factor for stroke. It is important to provide the effective treatment of arterial hypertension (AH) in patients after stroke to improve quality of life and prevent further complications.

We conducted a randomized study: 87 patients with AH after stroke were enrolled in the Sumy Region Affair Hospital They were divided into two groups: group A - 48 patients (55.2%) have been treated with fixed combination of valsartan 160 mg, amlodipine 5 mg and hydrochlorothiazide 12,5 mg, and group B - 39 patients (44.8%) have been treated with nonfixed combination of valsartan and amlodipine. Our patients have been subjected to physical examination, BP monitoring, blood tests, 12-lead ECG and EchoCG. For interviewing we used particular questionnaires and scales (Medication Assessment Questionnaire (MAQ), 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). The authors had full access to and take full responsibility for the integrity of the data.

It was found a significant difference in the average BP level among the patients in the fixed combination group (A) (129,1+7.3 mm Hg) compared to the control group (B) (141,3+8,4) (p<0.05). It was detected that adherence to the medical treatment improved for 34,6% in group A comparing to group B (p<0.05).

Management of the patients with AH after stroke valsartan 160 mg, amlodipine 5 mg and hydrochlorothiazide 12,5 mg can be considered as a benefit to improve the efficacy of BP control, but further research is required.