What is the issue for NSW?
NSW has the highest number of stroke survivors in Australia, with more than 150,000 individuals affected. The cost of strokes in Australia is estimated at $32 billion a year, with a large proportion spent in NSW.
Stroke survivors have a high risk of recurrent events – 40% risk at 10 years, with the risk being higher in older people and those in rural/remote communities. With recurrence, high blood pressure is the single most treatable risk factor. People who have had a stroke are not being adequately treated for their high blood pressure, leading to suboptimal treatment and increased cardiovascular events. It also highlights the need to identify a novel way to engage stroke survivors in blood pressure management and promote action from clinicians.
What does the research aim to do and how?
The LOTUS trial will recruit people who have had a stroke or mini-stroke and who have high blood pressure. It aims to improve their blood pressure by implementing a new ultra-low dose blood pressure lowering medicine strategy. It will be led by Neurologists and informed by telemonitoring. An analysis will be done to compare whether patients recruited to the LOTUS trial have better blood pressure when compared with patients who receive the usual care.
This research study also aims to identify a novel way to engage stroke survivors in blood pressure management and promote awareness and action in clinicians. Additionally this research study aims to reach as many patients as possible and support equitable risk prevention.