Cardio-postural control and cerebral autoregulation in older adults after ischemic stroke

Acute ischemic strokes are a common cause of death within the world’s population. Older adults affected by cerebral infarctions, often experience orthostatic hypotension which can be associated with autonomic dysfunctions. By using a method to identify the bi-directional relationship between cardiovascular control and postural control, as well as cerebral autoregulation, new insight into orthostatic hypotension associated with ischemic stroke can be provided. This thesis compared acute stroke patients with healthy controls as well as females and males to examine the relationships within the cardio-postural model and included the new aspect of involving the cerebral autoregulatory system and their correlation. It was hypothesized that stroke patients show impairment within the autonomic system and the cerebral autoregulation. A decrease in cardiovascular baroreflex, muscle-pump baroreflex, and cerebral autoregulatory impairment was shown in stroke patients compared to the healthy controls. Furthermore, the impairment was greater in female stroke patients.