Yi JE, et al. - Given a link exists between acute hypertensive response (AHR) in acute stroke and adverse outcomes, researchers focused on the prognostic value of AHR in patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). They also explored the link between AHR and myocardial function, using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE). They performed a retrospective analysis of 244 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) (n = 192) or TIA (n = 52). These participants had undergone an assessment with 2D-STE within 7 days from admission. A composite of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), including death, myocardial infraction or recurrent ischemic stroke, was considered as the primary endpoint. A significantly higher incidence of MACCE was reported in patients with AHR vs those without AHR, as shown in a Kaplan–Meier curve. MACCE was strongly predicted by AHR in multivariate Cox regression analysis. Findings are suggestive of the possible importance of AHR in patients with AIS or TIA as a poor prognostic marker associated with myocardial dysfunction.