Skin patch for blood pressure great for stroke patients

Main Category: Stroke
Article Date: 29 Feb 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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People who have suffered a stroke could benefit from using a skin patch that lowers blood pressure.

According to the researchers, this patch will be great for patients who are unable to, or find it hard to swallow.

40% of stoke sufferers have problems swallowing.

The research team, from the University of Nottingham (UK) say they are going to conduct trials worldwide. They are using the internet to collate the information.

80% of stroke sufferers risk having another stroke because these people have high blood pressure.

The patch releases nitric oxide into the body. It relaxes blood vessels (makes them bigger). It is currently used by patients who have severe angina.

The hope is that this patch will have the same effect with blood vessels in the brain, this would improve blood flow.

Nitric oxide can reduce the size and damage of a stroke if it is given immediately after the stroke takes place.

Studies with 127 stroke patients have shown that this patch lowers blood pressure.

On the other hand, lowering blood pressure for stroke patients could be detrimental. It is possible that stroke patients may need high blood pressure in order to make sure the flow to the brain is maintained.

Stroke patients seem to be in a no-win situation. High blood pressure increases their risk of another stroke. Low blood pressure might compromise good blood flow to the brain.

Further studies will have to look into this.

The BUPA Foundation is funding this study. BUPA Foundation is a charity.

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