Heterogeneity was present for several outcomes and was partly related to the class of antihypertensive drugs used ; angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and diuretics separately , and especially together , reduced vascular events , while beta-receptor antagonists had no discernable effect .
Evidence from r and omized controlled trials supports the use of antihypertensive agents in lowering blood pressure for the prevention of vascular events in patients with previous stroke or transient ischemic attack .
Vascular prevention is associated positively with the magnitude by which blood pressure is reduced
BACKGROUND High blood pressure is a risk factor for stroke recurrence .
We assessed the effectiveness of lowering blood pressure in preventing recurrent vascular events in patients with previous stroke or transient ischemic attack .
PROGRESS - Perindopril Protection Against Recurrent Stroke Study: characteristics of the study population at baseline. Progress Management Committee.
OBJECTIVE The primary aim of the Perindopril Protection Against Recurrent Stroke Study ( PROGRESS ) is to determine the effects of a long-term angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitor-based blood-pressure-lowering regimen on the risk of stroke among patients with a history of stroke or transient ischaemic attack ( TIA ) . Secondary aims include investigation of the effects of treatment on total cardiovascular events , dementia and disability . DESIGN AND METHODS PROGRESS is a double-blind , placebo-controlled  r and omized trial . Patients were r and omly assigned to treatment with the ACE inhibitor perindopril ( and the diuretic indapamide for those with no definite indication or contraindication to treatment with a diuretic ) versus matching placebo(s ) . Both hypertensive and non-hypertensive patients were eligible for inclusion . Follow-up is scheduled for completion in 2001 . The study is being conducted in 172 centres in 10 countries ( Australia , Belgium , China , France , Italy , Irel and , Japan , New Zeal and , Sweden and the United Kingdom ) . RESULTS Recruitment was completed in November 1997 , with 6105 patients r and omized . Mean age of participants at study entry was 64 years , 30 % of whom were female , 84 % had an entry diagnosis of stroke , and the remainder had an entry diagnosis of TIA alone . Mean baseline blood pressure was 147/86 mm Hg , with about half the patients reporting current drug treatment for hypertension . At r and omization , 58 % of patients were assigned to combination treatment with both study drugs versus placebos , and 42 % were assigned to perindopril alone versus placebo . CONCLUSIONS The successful completion of recruitment , together with current indicators of statistical power , suggest that PROGRESS should achieve its primary aim on schedule
Heterogeneity was present for several outcomes and was partly related to the class of antihypertensive drugs used ; angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and diuretics separately , and especially together , reduced vascular events , while beta-receptor antagonists had no discernable effect .
Evidence from r and omized controlled trials supports the use of antihypertensive agents in lowering blood pressure for the prevention of vascular events in patients with previous stroke or transient ischemic attack .
Vascular prevention is associated positively with the magnitude by which blood pressure is reduced
BACKGROUND High blood pressure is a risk factor for stroke recurrence .
We assessed the effectiveness of lowering blood pressure in preventing recurrent vascular events in patients with previous stroke or transient ischemic attack .