Alex Alikiotis
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a major risk factor for strokes. Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries as it circulates through the body. High blood pressure can damage and weaken the blood vessels, making it easier for blood clots to form or for arteries to rupture. This can lead to two types of strokes: ischaemic strokes, which are caused by clots, and haemorrhagic strokes, which are caused by ruptured arteries. While the exact numbers vary, a systolic reading of 130 or higher or a diastolic reading of 80 or higher is generally considered high blood pressure. Readings above 180/120 mmHg are considered a hypertensive crisis and require immediate medical attention.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Healthy blood pressure range | Systolic pressure of less than 120 mm Hg and a diastolic pressure of less than 80 mm Hg |
| Stage 1 hypertension | Systolic pressure: 130-139 mm Hg; Diastolic pressure: 80-89 mm Hg |
| Stage 2 hypertension | Systolic pressure: 140+ mm Hg; Diastolic pressure: 90+ mm Hg |
| Hypertensive crisis | Systolic pressure: 180+ mm Hg; Diastolic pressure: 120+ mm Hg |
What You'll Learn
Hypertension is the leading cause of strokes in the US
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a leading cause of strokes in the US. Hypertension is a common condition that affects the body's arteries. If you have high blood pressure, the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls is too high, and the heart has to work harder to pump blood. 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 damage can lead to a stroke.
Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). It is recorded as two numbers: systolic and diastolic. Systolic blood pressure is the first number and measures the pressure of blood pushing against artery walls when the heart beats. Diastolic blood pressure is the second number and measures the pressure when the heart rests between beats.
Hypertension is generally a reading of 130/80 mmHg or higher. However, the risk of stroke increases at any level of high blood pressure. Doctors recommend keeping your blood pressure below 130/80 mmHg to prevent a first-time stroke.
High blood pressure often has no warning signs or symptoms, so it is important to get your blood pressure checked regularly. Certain factors can increase your risk of hypertension, including being overweight or obese, physical inactivity, consuming too much alcohol, and unhealthy diets. Lifestyle changes, such as improving your diet, increasing physical activity, and reducing salt intake, can help lower blood pressure. In some cases, medication may be necessary to manage hypertension.
By controlling high blood pressure, you can help prevent major health problems such as strokes, which are a leading cause of death for Americans.
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High blood pressure can cause blood clots in the brain
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the biggest single risk factor for strokes. It plays a role in about half of all strokes. Over time, high blood pressure can weaken and damage the walls of your blood vessels, making it easier for a clot to form or an artery to rupture in your brain. This can lead to an ischemic stroke, the most common type of stroke, or a hemorrhagic stroke.
High blood pressure causes blood to travel throughout the body at a higher speed and pressure than normal. This can damage the walls and lining of arteries, causing them to become narrower and stiffer and leading to a build-up of fatty material. 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 ischemic stroke.
High blood pressure can also cause blood clots in the brain by making a stroke due to bleeding in the brain more likely. This is called a hemorrhagic stroke. High blood pressure can damage the tiny blood vessels deep inside the brain, causing bleeding in the brain. Small vessel disease, which is more likely to occur with high blood pressure over a long period, makes a stroke more probable and can affect your thinking ability.
High blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). A healthy blood pressure is a systolic pressure of less than 120 mmHg and a diastolic pressure of less than 80 mmHg. Doctors recommend keeping your blood pressure below 130/80 mmHg to prevent a first-time stroke.
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High blood pressure can lead to haemorrhagic strokes
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a major risk factor for strokes. It is the biggest single risk factor, playing a part in about half of all strokes. While it is a serious condition, there are ways to reduce the risk of a stroke.
Blood pressure is a measure of how strongly the blood presses against the walls of your blood vessels. It is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). A diagnosis of high blood pressure means that your blood pressure stays high over a long period.
High blood pressure can damage blood vessels inside the brain, causing them to burst or leak. Over time, high blood pressure can weaken and damage the blood vessels, making them more prone to rupture. When a blood vessel ruptures in or near the brain, it is known as a haemorrhagic stroke.
Symptoms of a haemorrhagic stroke include severe headaches, loss of consciousness, seizures, and weakness on one side of the body. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to seek prompt medical attention.
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High blood pressure can cause atherosclerosis
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the biggest single risk factor for strokes. It is estimated to be a factor in about half of all strokes. The force exerted by the blood on the walls of the arteries is what we refer to when we talk about blood pressure. When this force is too high, it can damage blood vessels over time, making them less flexible and more vulnerable to blood clot formation. This is the most common cause of an ischemic stroke.
High blood pressure can also cause atherosclerosis, which is a build-up of plaque in the arteries. This build-up can block or limit blood flow to the heart, causing chest pain, or angina. The plaque can also break off and cause a blood clot, which may lead to a heart attack or stroke. Atherosclerosis can also cause peripheral arterial disease, erectile dysfunction, and pain in the legs.
The process of atherosclerosis involves the build-up of fatty material in the arteries, making them narrower and stiffer. This is caused by damage to the endothelium, the delicate lining of the arteries. High blood pressure adds force to the artery walls, causing injury to the endothelium and allowing more "bad" LDL cholesterol and white blood cells to enter the lining of the artery. This build-up of cholesterol and cells in the artery wall eventually forms the plaque of atherosclerosis.
Healthy blood pressure is considered to be a systolic pressure of less than 120 mm Hg and a diastolic pressure of less than 80 mm Hg. Blood pressure above 130/80 mm Hg is considered high and can increase the risk of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular issues. Treating high blood pressure can dramatically reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and other serious health problems. Lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet and regular exercise, can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of these conditions.
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High blood pressure is often called a 'silent killer'
High blood pressure is often called a silent killer because it presents with no symptoms. This means that you could have high blood pressure for years and not know it. Without symptoms, people may not be aware that anything is wrong, but damage is still occurring within the body. This is why check-ups are crucial.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a major risk factor for stroke. It is the biggest single risk factor, playing a part in about half of all 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. This can lead to an ischemic stroke (the most common type of stroke) or a hemorrhagic stroke.
Any level of high blood pressure raises the risk of stroke, but doctors recommend keeping your blood pressure below 130/80 mm Hg to prevent a first-time stroke. A healthy blood pressure is considered to be a systolic pressure of less than 120 mm Hg and a diastolic pressure of less than 80 mm Hg.
High blood pressure is very common, affecting about 47% of adults in the US, or about 116 million people. It is important to detect high blood pressure early and to manage it through lifestyle changes and/or medication. Lifestyle changes to lower blood pressure include losing weight, eating a healthy diet, reducing salt intake, limiting alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, and exercising regularly.
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Frequently asked questions
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is when the force inside your arteries is consistently too high. It is a major risk factor for strokes and can lead to serious health problems including heart attacks.
A healthy blood pressure is a systolic pressure of less than 120 mm Hg and a diastolic pressure of less than 80 mm Hg. Doctors recommend keeping your blood pressure below 130/80 mm Hg to prevent a first-time stroke.
Symptoms of a hypertensive crisis may include difficulty speaking, numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, confusion, difficulty seeing, dizziness, severe headache, and difficulty walking.
