Slightly higher blood pressure also ups risk of stroke

Even people with blood pressure slightly higher than normal may have an increased risk of stroke, research suggests.

Scientists in the US came to the conclusion after analysing data on 518,520 adults from 12 studies looking at blood pressure and stroke risk.

They found that people with prehypertension – slightly raised blood pressure – were 50 per cent more likely to suffer a stroke than those with normal blood pressure levels.

Prehypertension is defined by a systolic (top number) reading of 120 to 139 millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and a diastolic (bottom number) of 80 to 89 mmHg.

Normal blood pressure is said to be at, or below 120 (systolic) over 80 (diastolic). High blood pressure has consistent readings of 140 over 90 or more.

People under the age of 65 with prehypertension had an almost 80 per cent increased risk of stroke when compared with normal blood pressure individuals, according to the research.