What is the most important action to prevent a stroke in a patient with hypertension?

• A. Lipid-lowering therapy.
• B. Adherence to antihypertensive medications.
• C. Increase physical activity only.
• D. Strict sodium restriction alone.

Answer: (B)

Keeping blood pressure consistently within goal ranges is the key to lowering stroke risk in hypertension. The most impactful action is adherence to antihypertensive medications because taking them as prescribed directly maintains BP at target levels over time. Without consistent medication use, blood pressure can rise again, undoing other risk-reducing efforts.

Lipid-lowering therapy helps reduce vascular risk from cholesterol, and lifestyle changes like increased physical activity or sodium restriction are beneficial, but they don’t guarantee sustained BP control. Even with these measures, poor medication adherence often leaves BP uncontrolled, leaving stroke risk elevated. Therefore, ensuring the patient takes antihypertensive medications as prescribed is the most effective way to prevent a stroke.