NEW YORK ( Reuters Health ) - An increase in 24-hour pulse pressure in patients who have undergone a first stroke indicates an increased risk of experiencing another within a year , Greek researchers report .

As investigator Dr. Kostas Spengos told Reuters Health , " the findings of our study suggest that elevated 24-hour pulse pressure levels are independently associated with increased long-term recurrence . "

Spengos and colleagues at the University of Athens followed 339 consecutive patients who underwent 24-hour blood pressure monitoring within a day of their first stroke . The findings are published in the October issue of the Journal of Neurology , Neurosurgery and Psychiatry .

At one year , the stroke recurrence rate was 9.2 percent . The only significant predictors of another stroke were age , diabetes and 24-hour pulse pressure . The risk of stroke recurrence within one year increased by almost one third for every 10 mm Hg increase in blood pressure .

The researchers note that the study was not designed to investigate the underlying mechanisms , but they suggest that medication might help reduce this risk .

However , Spengos added , since blood pressure-lowering drugs effect blood vessel stiffness and " can selectively alter different components of blood pressure , " large , well-designed studies will be needed to confirm if lowering one or more components of blood pressure can improve the outcome of stroke patients .