Blood pressure levels in the acute phase after intracerebral hemorrhage are associated with mortality in young adults

Background and purpose Blood pressure (BP) levels in acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and mortality have not been thoroughly studied in the young. Methods The relationship between BP and mortality was assessed in consecutive patients with first‐ever, non‐traumatic acute ICH at ≤50 years of age, enrolled in the Helsinki ICH Young Study. BP parameters included systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure (SBP − DBP) at admission and 24 h, and delta (admission–24 h) BP parameters. Outcome measures were 3‐month and long‐term mortalities, adjusted for demographics and ICH score parameters for short‐term and cardiovascular risk factors for long‐term prognostics. Cox regression models were used to assess independent BP parameters associated with mortality. Results Of our 334 patients (61% male), 92 (27%) had pre‐stroke hypertension and 54 (16%) used antihypertensive treatment. The follow‐up extended to 17 years with a median of 12 (interquartile range, 9.65–14.7) years. Both 3‐month (n = 56; 16%) and long‐term (n = 97; 29%) mortalities were associated with significantly higher admission SBP and mean arterial pressure levels, but not with 24‐h BP levels, compared with survivors. Patients with SBP ≥ 160 mmHg (n = 156; 46%) had a significantly higher mortality rate (n = 59, 17% vs. n = 38, 11%; P = 0.001) and died earlier (9.6; 95% confidence interval, 2.9–12.9 years vs. 11.3; 95% confidence interval, 8.1–13.9 years; P = 0.001) within the follow‐up period. In multivariable analyses, admission SBP ≥160 mmHg was independently associated with both 3‐month (hazard ratio, 2.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.19–5.24; P < 0.05) and long‐term (hazard ratio, 2.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.18–3.43; P < 0.01) mortalities. Conclusions In young patients with ICH, acute‐phase SBP levels ≥160 mmHg are independently associated with increased mortality. Click here to view the accompanying paper in this volume.