Sandset EC, Appleton JP, Berge E, et al. - Given a link of high blood pressure (BP) with a poor outcome following acute stroke, researchers used data from a multicentre randomized single-masked and outcome-masked trial, the Efficacy of Nitric Oxide in Stroke trial, to determine whether early decrease in BP is related to fewer early adverse events and deaths, and improved functional outcome. A total of 4,011 patients recruited within 48 h of an ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke and with elevated SBP (140–220 mmHg) were randomized to glyceryl trinitrate vs no glyceryl trinitrate in the Efficacy of Nitric Oxide in Stroke trial. Functional outcome (modified Rankin scale) score at 90 days was assessed as the primary outcome. In acute stroke, modest reductions in SBP seemed to be related to fewer early events and better long-term functional outcome.