Common blood pressure drug helps more stroke survivors reach critical health target

A study suggests that adding spironolactone to usual treatment can help stroke survivors with high blood pressure reach recommended levels. This matters because controlling blood pressure is an important way to reduce the risk of another stroke, although the trial measured blood pressure rather than repeat strokes.

After three months, participants taking spironolactone had an average top blood pressure reading of about 126, compared with 133 for those receiving usual care. The recommended target of below 130/80 was reached by 52% of the spironolactone group and 30% of the usual-care group. The trial ended early with 160 participants, and the medicine can raise potassium levels, so monitoring is needed; larger, longer studies must establish whether it prevents further strokes or heart attacks.