C-reactive protein and blood pressure in the acute phase after an ischemic stroke.

Abstract

To the Editor: Elevated blood pressure levels have been associated with an increased risk of stroke and of cardiovascular disease.1 It is now well established that vascular inflammation is an independent risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis.2 Furthermore, low grade of inflammation, assessed by C-reactive protein (CRP), significantly predict the risk of future ischemic stroke.3 Thus, the mechanism underlying the link between elevated blood pressure and an increased risk of stroke may be inflammation. Engstrom et al4 demonstrated in a recent Stroke article that increased levels inflammation-sensitive plasma proteins are associated with elevated blood pressure and these proteins are associated with an increased risk of stroke in patient with high blood pressure. From this point of view, we have the possibility, using the data from the Villa Pini Stroke Data Bank5,6 to extend their observations regarding the relationship between CRP and blood pressure levels in acute ischemic stroke. Previous …