| e is the damage to a part of the brain when its | | | | kidney disease and heart failure. If hypertension is |
| blood supply is suddenly cut off. Brain cells die | | | | left untreated, permanent eye damage can also |
| during a stroke; abilities controlled by that area of | | | | occur. |
| the brain are lost. The result is abnormal brain | | | | Normal blood pressure is considered to be around |
| function. Blood flow to the brain can be disrupted | | | | 120/80 (systolic/diastolic). |
| by either a blockage or rupture of an artery to | | | | When your blood pressure is consistent around |
| the brain. | | | | 140/90, hypertension or high blood pressure |
| Hypertension is also known as silent killer. Most | | | | occurs. Studies and research have proven that a |
| people, unless diagnosed by a physician are not | | | | person with either undiagnosed or un-treated |
| even aware that they have developed this | | | | hypertension has a risk factor that is four times |
| condition. A person who suffers from high blood | | | | greater to have a stroke as compared to a |
| pressure actually does not exhibit any real | | | | person who has a normal blood pressure. |
| symptoms. The only way to determine if you | | | | So how does having high blood pressure increase |
| have it or not is with regular medical check ups. | | | | your risk of Stroke? |
| Stroke is the rapidly developing loss of brain | | | | High blood pressure can also cause damage to |
| functions due to a disturbance in the blood vessels | | | | blood vessels. The damage can be in the following |
| supplying blood to the brain. This can be due to | | | | forms: Thickening of blood vessels, Formation of |
| lack of blood supply, caused by thrombosis or | | | | clot (thrombus) and Abnormal dilatation and |
| embolism, or due to a hemorrhage. | | | | breakage of vessels (aneurysm) |
| High blood pressure (hypertension) and stroke are | | | | - High blood pressure can cause the arteries to |
| closely related to each other. High blood pressure | | | | narrow due to the plaque build up and cause |
| can be one of the most significant factors that | | | | atherosclerosis. |
| cause a stroke. Of all the risk factors, having high | | | | - A blockage of blood flow to the brain, from |
| blood pressure actually increases your risk factor. | | | | dislodged plaque from the walls of the artery can |
| Stroke is a medical emergency and can cause | | | | cause embolic stroke (embolism). |
| permanent neurological damage, complications and | | | | - Weakened arterial walls and breakdown of a |
| death if not promptly diagnosed and treated. | | | | vessel(s) with bleeding into the brain can cause |
| Blood pressure is actually a measurement, using a | | | | hemorrhagic stroke. |
| device called sphygmomanometer, of the | | | | - Constant stress from almost any source |
| pressure exerted by the blood upon the walls of | | | | - Rare malformations of the blood vessels inside |
| the blood vessels, especially the arteries. If you | | | | the brain can cause hemorrhagic stroke. |
| have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, | | | | As your blood pressure continues to rise and gets |
| your heart must work harder to pump the blood | | | | too high, your chances of having a stroke are |
| as compared to what it should. Therefore, having | | | | significantly increased. |
| high blood pressure will result in having an | | | | A stroke causes a loss of brain function (cell |
| unnecessary strain on the vessels of the | | | | death) due to the lack of blood supply to the |
| circulatory system. | | | | brain. |
| High blood pressure is generally categorized as | | | | Whether you have been diagnosed with high blood |
| mild, moderate or severe. Depending on the | | | | pressure or not, you You should consistently |
| stage, this problem may also cause some serious | | | | monitor and keep track of your blood pressure in |
| life threatening diseases such as heart attack, | | | | order to reduce the risk of stroke. |