Question

A 70-year-old man arrives with left-sided weakness and slurred speech that started 3 hours ago. CT scan excludes haemorrhage. BP is 180/100 mmHg. He qualifies for IV thrombolysis. According to NICE guidelines, how should his high blood pressure be managed before thrombolysis?

Accepted Answer

It must be lowered to <185/110 mmHg prior to thrombolysis

Answer

No need to adjust BP before thrombolysis

Answer

Aim for systolic BP <220 mmHg

Answer

Stop all antihypertensive medications

Answer

Immediate IV betablockers to reduce BP to <140/90 mmHg

Practice question

A 70-year-old man arrives with left-sided weakness and slurred speech that started 3 hours ago. CT scan excludes haemorrhage. BP is 180/100 mmHg. He qualifies for IV thrombolysis. According to NICE guidelines, how should his high blood pressure be managed before thrombolysis?