Researchers have disclosed that extremely variable blood pressure level, and not just high blood pressure, can greatly augment an individual's stroke risk.

The UK and Swedish scientists viewed the changeability in BP levels at physicians' checks.

They discovered that people with changeable readings at different general practitioner visits had the highest risk of future stroke despite what their average BP level was.

Professor Peter Rothwell of the Department of Clinical Neurology at the University of Oxford, who headed the study, said that the detection has major logical implications for how general practitioners spot and handle people at high stroke risk.

Prof. Rothwell said, "At the moment, the guidelines for GPs say not to believe a one-off unusual reading, to bring the patient back and measure again, and as long as it''s not consistently high, there is no need to treat."

"What we''re saying is don''t discount that one-off high blood pressure reading."

"If you get rapid fluctuations that can cause turbulent flow of blood which can cause damage and stiffening in the arteries," Prof. added. (With Input from Agencies)