Background and Purpose—Stroke mortality has been declining since the early 20th century. The reasons for this are not completely understood, although the decline is welcome. As a result of recent striking and more accelerated decreases in stroke mortality, stroke has fallen from the third to the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. This has prompted a detailed assessment of the factors associated with the change in stroke risk and mortality. This statement considers the evidence for factors that have contributed to the decline and how they can be used in the design of future interventions for this major public health burden. Methods—Writing group members were nominated by the committee chair and co-chair on the basis of their previous work in relevant topic areas and were approved by the American Heart Association Stroke Council’s Scientific Statements Oversight Committee and the American Heart Association Manuscript Oversight Committee. The writers used systematic literature reviews, references to published clinical and epidemiological studies, morbidity and mortality reports, clinical and public health guidelines, authoritative statements, personal files, and expert opinion to summarize evidence and to indicate gaps in current knowledge. All members of the writing group had the opportunity to comment on this document and approved the final version. The document underwent extensive American Heart Association internal peer review, Stroke Council leadership review, and Scientific Statements Oversight Committee review before consideration and approval by the American Heart Association Science Advisory and Coordinating Committee. Results—The decline in stroke mortality over the past decades represents a major improvement in population health and is observed for both sexes and for all racial/ethnic and age groups. In addition to the overall impact on fewer lives lost to stroke, the major decline in stroke mortality seen among people <65 years of age represents a reduction in years of potential life lost. The decline in mortality results from reduced incidence of stroke and lower case-fatality rates. These significant improvements in stroke outcomes are concurrent with cardiovascular risk factor control interventions. Although

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Factors Influencing the Decline in Stroke Mortality A Statement From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has an important role in the endocrine pancreas. Although angiotensin II has significant effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis, the contribution of the RAS to changes in islet structure and function associated with type 2 diabetes is yet to be defined. This study examined the specific effects of RAS blockade on islet structure and function in diabetes. Thirty-six male Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, 10 weeks of age, were randomized to receive the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor perindopril (8 mg/l in drinking water; n = 12), irbesartan (15 mg/kg via gavage; n = 12), or no treatment (n = 12) for 10 weeks. Results were compared with lean littermates (ZL) (n = 12) studied concurrently. ZDF rats had increased intra-islet expression of components of the RAS correlating with increased intraislet fibrosis, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Disordered islet architecture, seen in ZDF rats, was attenuated after treatment with perindopril or irbesartan. Islet fibrogenesis was also diminished, as measured by picrosirius staining and expression of collagens I and IV. Gene expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 was increased in the ZDF pancreas (ZL, 1.0 +/- 0.1; ZDF, 2.0 +/- 0.3; P < 0.05) and reduced after blockade of the RAS (ZDF + P, 1.3 +/- 0.2; ZDF + I, 1.5 +/- 0.1; vs. ZDF, both P < 0.05). Improvements in structural parameters were also associated with functional improvements in first-phase insulin secretion. These findings provide a possible mechanism for the reduced incidence of new-onset diabetes that has been observed in clinical trials of RAS blockade.

https://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/diabetes/53/4/989.full.pdf

Improved islet morphology after blockade of the renin-angiotensin system in the ZDF rat

Morbidity and mortality in the Swedish trial in old patients with hypertension (STOP-hypertension). Commentary

Increased expression of NAD(P)H oxidase in islets of animal models of Type 2 diabetes and its improvement by an AT1 receptor antagonist.

A 70-year-old, right-handed African American woman with diabetes mellitus, treated with an oral hypoglycemic, and untreated mild hypertension developed right-sided face, arm, and leg weakness while at home preparing breakfast. She was able to reach the telephone and dial 911. An ambulance was summoned, and the Emergency Medical Service team, on arrival, noted a right facial droop, dysarthria, and right-sided weakness. She was transported to a local hospital, arriving within an hour of the onset of the event. The hospital stroke team was consulted and initiated an evaluation.

The patient was afebrile, with a pulse of 72 and a blood pressure of 170/90 mm Hg. Neck was supple with no carotid bruits. Temporal arteries were nontender. Heart was regular with no murmurs or gallops. Peripheral pulses were 2+, and capillary refill was good. There were no peripheral bruits.

She was awake, lucid, alert, and well oriented. She did not report headache. Speech was dysarthric, but comprehension was good and she spoke in fully formed sentences. There was no sensory neglect or extinction. Cranial nerve examination revealed equal, reactive pupils and full visual fields; funduscopic examination disclosed grade I hypertensive changes. She had a flattened nasolabial fold on the right, but was able to close her eyes and wrinkle her forehead. Motor examination revealed impaired fine motor movements in the right hand, pronator drift of the outstretched right arm, and mild proximal weakness of the right leg; sensory examination revealed decreased vibratory sensation in the distal feet bilaterally. Tendon reflexes were brisk in the right arm; ankle jerks could not be elicited. Plantar response was flexor bilaterally. Coordination in the arms and legs was normal, allowing for proximal weakness. Gait was not tested.

A complete blood count, chemistry profile, coagulation studies, and cardiac enzymes and erythrocyte sedimentation rates were obtained, and …

Chronic Management of Blood Pressure After Stroke

In hypertensive patients without clinically evident vascular disease, losartan and atenolol were equally effective in reducing blood pressure, but losartan was more effective in preventing cardiova...

Sigrid Helle Berg

Papers

Effects of losartan or atenolol in hypertensive patients without clinically evident vascular disease: a substudy of the LIFE randomized trial.