Stroke Level Blood Pressure: Determining Risk Based on Levels

A stroke occurs when blood supply to the brain is blocked or interrupted by a burst vessel. Recent data indicates that 1 in 6 deaths from cardiovascular disease was due to stroke. Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability and can reduce mobility in more than half of stroke survivors over 64.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a modifiable risk factor for stroke. Approximately 30% of all U.S. adults have hypertension; however, less than half manage it with an appropriate medication regimen.

This article discusses the relationship between blood pressure level and stroke risk, how to tell if you have stroke-level blood pressure, and available treatment options.

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Connection Between Stroke and High Blood Pressure 

People diagnosed with high blood pressure are at an increased risk of having a stroke.

Over time, high blood pressure can damage the body’s blood vessels. This damage can weaken the vessels, which can lead to them being blocked or bursting, disrupting blood flow to the brain and resulting in a stroke.

Approximately 80% of strokes can be prevented, especially by managing high blood pressure.

Types of Stroke

Healthcare providers classify strokes into these two main types:

• Ischemic: Accounting for about 87% of all strokes, an ischemic stroke is when one or more of the brain’s blood vessels are blocked.
• Hemorrhagic: A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel that is damaged or weakened, such as from untreated high blood pressure, bursts, and bleeding occurs in the brain’s tissues.

Other types of stroke include:

• Transient ischemic attack (TIA): Referred to as a ministroke or a warning stroke, a TIA occurs when one of the brain’s blood vessels is temporarily blocked.
• Cryptogenic stroke: In a small number of cases, healthcare providers cannot determine the cause of a stroke. These are known as cryptogenic strokes.
• Brain stem stroke: A stroke can occur in the blood vessels of the brain stem, located at the base of the brain.

Risks of Living With Stroke-Level Blood Pressure

Over time, high blood pressure puts too much pressure on the blood vessels, leading to weakness or damage. The damage can cause the vessels to become blocked or burst and cause a stroke.

It is possible to experience a sudden occurrence of high blood pressure, known as a hypertensive emergency, which can lead to a stroke. In most cases, a hypertensive emergency occurs in people previously diagnosed with high blood pressure; it is considered a rare occurrence in a person who is not diagnosed with high blood pressure.

In a hypertensive emergency, blood pressure rises quickly and can cause excessive stress on blood vessels. This stress can trigger the body to activate the clotting cascade, which can create blockages in the blood vessels. Blocked blood vessels disrupt blood flow to the brain, causing a stroke.

Symptoms of a stroke as a result of a hypertensive emergency might include:

• Abnormal walking, such as leaning to one side or inability to walk in a straight line
• Altered mental status, such as confusion
• Blurry vision

How to Tell If You Have High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because many people can have it with no apparent symptoms. Check in with a healthcare provider regularly to monitor your blood pressure and identify any early warning signs.

People who are unaware they have high blood pressure or have challenges managing their treatment plan can experience symptoms. If you have any of the following symptoms, talk with a healthcare provider immediately:

• Blurry vision
• Chest pain
• Confusion
• Headaches that don’t go away
• Nose bleeds

Untreated high blood pressure can cause damage to multiple organs. The long-term impact of untreated high blood pressure is often a stroke. In addition to stroke, high blood pressure can contribute to kidney damage, eye damage, lung damage, and heart damage.

Treatment to Manage Blood Pressure With Stroke Risk

There is no cure for high blood pressure, but various treatment options can reduce risk or help you maintain a healthy blood pressure. Healthcare providers recommend keeping your blood pressure at or below 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

Some people who adhere to the recommended lifestyle choices may still experience high blood pressure. In those cases, a healthcare provider might recommend medications to help keep blood pressure in a healthy range, such as the following:

• ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors help relax the body’s blood vessels, helping lower blood pressure and protecting the kidneys from damage.
• Angiotension-2 receptor blockers (ARBs) relax the body’s blood vessels, helping lower blood pressure and protect the kidneys from damage.
• Calcium channel blockers help relax the body’s blood vessels, which can lower blood pressure.
• Diuretics help the body eliminate extra water from the blood vessels, which helps lower blood pressure.

Adapting to Lifestyle Changes With Stroke Risk

High blood pressure is the most common condition associated with elevated stroke risk. There are several recommended lifestyle changes to help reduce stroke risk, including the following:

• Avoiding tobacco products
• Being physically active through exercises such as walking or swimming
• Eating a healthy diet that is low in salt and high in fruits and vegetables
• Keeping stress levels manageable
• Limiting alcohol use
• Maintaining a healthy weight

Prevention

You cannot cure high blood pressure, but you can control it. Keeping blood pressure in a healthy range—less than 130/80 mmHg—significantly reduces stroke risk. Some things you can do to keep blood pressure healthy and reduce your stroke risk include lifestyle modifications discussed above.

Additionally, to prevent high blood pressure and stroke, it is essential to:

• See a healthcare provider regularly to monitor blood pressure and identify potential organ or tissue damage.
• Have your blood pressure checked regularly.
• Take medications as prescribed by a healthcare provider.
• Manage other health conditions, such as diabetes, with regular healthcare provider checkups.

Summary

Strokes occur when one or more blood vessels in the brain are blocked or burst, often due to high blood pressure, which frequently goes unnoticed. To reduce your risk of high blood pressure and stroke, see a healthcare provider regularly.

You can manage high blood pressure with healthy lifestyle changes, such as a heart-healthy diet, regular physical activity, and avoiding tobacco products. In cases where lifestyle modifications are not enough, medication can help.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.