
High blood pressure is the biggest single risk factor for strokes, playing a part in about half of all cases. Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries, and high blood pressure can cause arteries to burst or clog more easily. This can lead to two types of strokes: ischaemic strokes, which are caused by blood clots in the brain, and haemorrhagic strokes, which occur when a blood vessel ruptures in or near the brain. While high blood pressure seldom presents with any symptoms, it is critical to monitor and manage it to reduce the risk of stroke.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Blood pressure reading that requires immediate medical attention | 180/120 mmHg or greater |
Blood pressure reading to prevent first-time stroke | Below 130/80 mmHg |
Blood pressure reading to prevent recurrent stroke | Less than 140/90 mmHg |
Healthy blood pressure reading | Systolic pressure of less than 120 mmHg and diastolic pressure of less than 80 mmHg |
High blood pressure reading | Systolic pressure of 120 mmHg or higher and diastolic pressure of 80 mmHg or higher |
What You'll Learn
High blood pressure weakens blood vessels
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major risk factor for strokes. Over time, high blood pressure can damage and weaken the blood vessels, making it easier for blood clots to form or for arteries to rupture.
When a person has hypertension, their blood is applying too much force against the walls of their blood vessels, which causes the blood flow to become turbulent. This turbulent blood flow weakens blood vessels and increases the risk of clot formation in the arteries. As the volume and pressure of blood flow throughout your blood vessels increase, they begin to narrow. This causes the blood pressure to increase even more. Over time, all of this increased pressure stretches and weakens the blood vessels.
When high blood pressure persists for a long time without attempts to manage it, the weakened blood vessels become less effective at moving blood throughout the body. This can have a negative effect on the heart. Weaker blood vessels make the heart work harder to pump blood, leading to issues like heart failure.
Additionally, stiffer, weaker blood vessels can easily become clogged with plaques over time, restricting blood flow even more. Continued high blood pressure may even force pieces of these plaques free, leading to more acute problems like heart attacks or strokes.
High blood pressure can also affect other organs. Kidneys, for example, are particularly sensitive to changes in the force of blood flow.
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High blood pressure increases risk of blood clots
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the biggest single risk factor for strokes, playing a part in about half of all cases. It can lead to blood clots in the brain and damage the tiny blood vessels inside it.
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels. When it's too high, it can damage the blood vessels, making them less flexible and more vulnerable to blood clot formation. This is because high blood pressure causes blood to travel through the body at a higher speed and pressure than normal, which can damage the walls and lining of the arteries. Once the arteries are damaged, there is a high risk that blood clots will form.
High blood pressure can cause fats from the food you eat to accumulate in your arteries, narrowing them and restricting blood flow. This process is called atherosclerosis. Clots can form on these areas of fatty material, and if a clot travels to the brain, it causes an ischaemic stroke, or transient ischaemic attack (TIA or mini-stroke).
High blood pressure can also weaken blood vessels and make them more prone to rupturing. When this happens in the brain, it’s known as a haemorrhagic stroke.
While any level of high blood pressure raises the risk of stroke, doctors recommend keeping your blood pressure below 130/80 mm Hg to prevent a first-time stroke. A reading of 180/120 mm Hg or greater requires immediate medical attention.
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High blood pressure can cause haemorrhagic stroke
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the biggest single risk factor for stroke. It plays a role in about half of all strokes and is a major cause of haemorrhagic stroke.
Haemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures or breaks, causing blood to spill into the surrounding tissues. This can happen when high blood pressure damages the blood vessels, making them more prone to rupture. Over time, high blood pressure can weaken and damage the blood vessels, increasing the risk of a haemorrhagic stroke.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure can also lead to an aneurysm, which is a weak bulge in the artery wall. The combination of high blood pressure and an aneurysm can increase the risk of a haemorrhagic stroke.
In addition, high blood pressure can cause arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), which are tangles of faulty blood vessels that can rupture and lead to a haemorrhagic stroke.
The damage caused by high blood pressure to the blood vessels in the brain can result in bleeding, known as a haemorrhagic stroke. This type of stroke is less common than ischemic strokes but often more serious, accounting for approximately 40% of all stroke deaths.
Therefore, managing high blood pressure is critical to reducing the risk of haemorrhagic stroke. This can be achieved through lifestyle changes, such as a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, weight management, stress reduction, and, if necessary, medication prescribed by a doctor.
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High blood pressure can cause atherosclerosis
High blood pressure can lead to atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up in the arteries. Atherosclerosis is a slow and progressive disease that may start as early as childhood and can progress rapidly. It is caused by a gradual buildup of plaque or thickening due to inflammation on the inside of the walls of the artery, reducing blood flow and oxygen supply to vital organs and extremities.
High blood pressure adds force to the artery walls, damaging them over time and leading to more plaque buildup. This narrowed artery limits or blocks the flow of blood, which can lead to a condition called coronary artery disease (CAD) when it occurs in the arteries supplying blood to the heart. The risk of atherosclerosis is further increased by smoking, diabetes, or unhealthy cholesterol levels.
The endothelium, the delicate lining of arteries, can be injured by high blood pressure, allowing "bad" LDL cholesterol and white blood cells to enter the lining of the artery. This buildup of cholesterol and cells in the artery wall forms the plaque of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis can cause chest pain (angina), and plaque can break off or damage a blood vessel, leading to a heart attack or stroke.
To prevent atherosclerosis, it is important to maintain a healthy blood pressure, typically below 130/80 mm Hg. Lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, weight management, stress management, and quitting smoking can help lower blood pressure. If lifestyle changes are not enough, medication may be prescribed to help control high blood pressure and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis.
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High blood pressure increases stroke risk
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major risk factor for stroke. Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries. Over time, high blood pressure can damage and weaken the blood vessels, making it easier for blood clots to form or for arteries to rupture. This is why managing high blood pressure is critical to reducing your risk of stroke.
High blood pressure increases the risk of stroke in two main ways:
- It can lead to blood clots in the brain. High blood pressure damages blood vessels by making them narrower and stiffer, causing a build-up of fatty material known as atherosclerosis. Clots can form on these fatty plaques, and if a clot travels to the brain, it causes an ischemic stroke. Ischemic strokes account for most strokes.
- It can cause bleeding in or around the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). High blood pressure can damage blood vessels inside the brain, making them more prone to rupture.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and is separated into two numbers: systolic (the top number) and diastolic (the bottom number). A healthy blood pressure range is considered to be a systolic pressure of less than 120 mm Hg and a diastolic pressure of less than 80 mm Hg. However, to prevent a first-time stroke, it is recommended to keep blood pressure below 130/80 mm Hg.
Managing high blood pressure is crucial to reducing the risk of stroke. Some lifestyle strategies that can help include:
- Eating a healthy, heart-healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet or the DASH diet
- Exercising regularly (at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity)
- Losing weight if overweight or obese
- Reducing salt intake
- Quitting smoking
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Getting sufficient sleep (7-9 hours regularly)
- Managing stress in healthy ways
If lifestyle changes are not enough to lower blood pressure, medication may be prescribed by a doctor as part of a treatment plan.
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Frequently asked questions
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel to the brain is narrowed or blocked by a clot (ischemic stroke) or bursts (hemorrhagic stroke). This results in the brain not receiving the necessary blood and oxygen, leading to cell death and potential paralysis or death. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for strokes, as it damages arteries and creates conditions that make them more susceptible to bursting or clogging.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is when the blood flows with too much force, exerting excess pressure on the arteries. This is measured in two numbers: systolic pressure (when the heart contracts) and diastolic pressure (when the heart rests between beats). A healthy blood pressure is considered to be below 120/80 mmHg, while hypertension stage 1 is systolic pressure above 120 mmHg and diastolic pressure above 80 mmHg.
Signs of a stroke may include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, confusion or difficulty speaking, vision problems, difficulty walking or maintaining balance, and severe headaches. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
Managing blood pressure is crucial to reducing the risk of a stroke. This can be achieved through lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco smoke, and limiting alcohol consumption. Additionally, taking prescribed medications and consulting a doctor regularly to review medications are important steps.
A hypertensive crisis occurs when blood pressure reaches extremely high levels and can lead to serious complications. Symptoms may include a severe headache, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, and chest pain. If you suspect someone is experiencing a hypertensive crisis, call for emergency medical assistance immediately.