Does abnormal circadian blood pressure pattern really matter in patients with transient ischemic attack or minor stroke?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Patients with stroke are more likely to have impaired autonomic nervous function and abnormal circadian blood pressure (BP) patterns. It remains unclear whether circadian BP patterns in patients with transient ischemic attack or minor stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale ≤3) differ from those in the normal population. METHODS Participants were assessed using a 24-hour ambulatory BP monitor and a short-term measurement of heart rate variability. RESULTS There were 76 patients (mean age, 67.2 years; 57.9% men; and 61.8% transient ischemic attack) and 82 controls (65.6 years; 54.9% men). A history of hypertension was more prevalent in patients (72.4%; controls 48.8%). Circadian BP patterns were distributed similarly among patients and controls, and heart rate variability was also consistent between patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to previous findings among patients with acute stroke, patients with transient ischemic attack or minor stroke had similar BP patterns and autonomic nervous system function, when compared with controls.