Hypertension and Stroke: Epidemiological Aspects and Clinical Evaluation.

The strong relationship between stroke and hypertension has been the object of several studies and trials. These studies addressed the epidemiology of stroke and hypertension, in order to estimate their worldwide distribution and time evolution, and investigated the effects of the management of hypertension on stroke outcomes. Evidences coming from these studies are essential to plan proper health services, optimise economic resources, and estimate the effectiveness of therapeutic strategies in primary and secondary prevention. Additional suggestions are needed to tailor the pharmacologic management of hypertension on the individual needs of patients and to select the most appropriate treatment to avoid stroke recurrences on the basis of the first-ever stroke subtype. Moreover, an increasing attention has been given, over the last years, to the relationship between the presence of hypertension and the development of an end-organ brain damage leading to early cognitive dysfunctions. A better understanding of this relationship is the prerequisite to promote successful aging and well-being.