Risk of ‘bleeding’ stroke higher with untreated blood pressure

Untreated high blood pressure is associated with a higher risk of “bleeding” stroke, and the risk has been found to be higher in blacks and Hispanics. Study author Dr. Kyle Walsh said, “The average age for a brain hemorrhage [bleeding stroke] is much younger in minorities, especially in African-Americans, so they may suffer more disability earlier in life than others. It’s important to be aware of having high blood pressure in the first place, and once diagnosed, to have it treated appropriately.”

The study consisted of 4,600 white, black and Hispanic Americans who were followed for six years. Within that time, nearly half of them experienced bleeding stroke.

The risk of bleeding stroke with untreated blood pressure was found to increase 11 times in the blacks, 9.8 times in Hispanics, and 9.4 times in the whites.

Furthermore, blood pressure was more likely to be untreated in Hispanics, then blacks, and followed by whites. Access to medical care was seen as a possible reason as to why Hispanics and blacks often have higher rates of untreated blood pressure.
Even among those with treated blood pressure, blacks were still 75 percent more likely to have bleeding stroke than whites, and Hispanics had a 50 percent higher likelihood than whites.

The findings are still at their early stage, and additional review is required.

Sources:
http://consumer.healthday.com/cardiovascular-health-information-20/heart-stroke-related-stroke-353/high-blood-pressure-bleeding-stroke-asa-meeting-release-batch-2521-707857.html