A very unfortunate effect of stroke is brain damage. Whereas strokes occurring in certain parts of the brain may lead to motor neglect, strokes that occur in other portions can sometimes result in a loss of cognitive function. In efforts to reduce a patient's chances of post-stroke brain damage, researchers from the University of Georgia have put forth some interesting information regarding the use of blood pressure medication for this very purpose.

If given within twenty-four hours of the stroke, researchers say, common blood pressure medication may help reduce brain damage in patients. Studying the results of rats who had induced strokes and were subsequently treated with blood pressure lowering medication, the researchers found a significant reduction in the amount of brain damage when compared against stroke induced rats who were not given blood pressure medication.

This study comes off the heels of a separate study on the efficacy of using blood pressure meds to reduce the severity of brain damage in stroke victims, one that was also conducted by at the University of Georgia. Researchers are hopeful that this information will be used to revolutionize emergency stroke care.