What Are Treatment Options For High Blood Pressure
Treating high blood pressure may include a combined approach of dietary changes, medication and exercise. The goal is to lower your blood pressure and thus lower your risk of developing health problems caused by high blood pressure.
Prehypertension
If your blood pressure is between 120/80 mm Hg and 130/80 mm Hg, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes like losing weight or quitting smoking to help bring blood pressure down to a normal range. Medication is rarely used at this stage.
Stage I hypertension
If your blood pressure is above 130/80 mmHg but below 140/90 mmHg, your doctor may prescribe a blood pressure medication in addition to recommending lifestyle changes.
Stage II hypertension
If your blood pressure is above 140/90 mmHg, your doctor may start you on more rigorous medications and recommend stricter lifestyle changes. Medications may include:
Possible side effects
What Does Blood Pressure Have To Do With Stroke
Over a period of time, high blood pressure wears on the structure and resiliency of blood vessels, causing them to constrict and become less elastic. When a clot forms and becomes trapped in a clogged or constricted blood vessel, the resulting lack of oxygen to the brain causes an ischemic stroke. The longer this area of the brain goes without the flow of blood and, necessarily, oxygen the more damage can occur. Hemorrhagic strokes also result from blood vessels becoming over-worn and ultimately breaking.
A very sudden spike in blood pressure is known as ahypertensive crisis, and is a common sign of a major underlying or immediately life-threatening issue. At these sudden high-pressure levels, blood vessels are not able to sustain the flow of blood to the brain for long.
Low systolic blood pressure can be just as dangerous as hypertension, on the other hand. Contrastingly known as hypotension, the body experiences the most life-threatening level of shock when blood pressure dips too low. Similar to hypertension, low blood pressure can lead to complications including dizziness, breathing problems, heart or kidney disease as well as stroke.
The Relationship Between High Blood Pressure & Stroke
High blood pressure contributes to the development of multiple health conditions including glaucoma, heart failure, kidney disease, and yes, stroke. “Not only is high blood pressure one of the leading risk factors for stroke, but it is also one of the most controllable risk factors, as well,” said Jennifer Juhl Majersik, MD, MS, Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Utah School of Medicine.
Think of it this way: The problem with blood pressure is that it forces your heart to work that much harder. This can damage your heart, causing it to misfire or beat irregularly. Plus, the increased pressure inside your arteries hardens them over time and leads to the build-up of hard plaque that can cause narrowing or closure of your arteries, including the ones supplying blood to your brain.
If this happens in the brain, a stroke occurs.
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What Else Causes Stroke
Other health problemsThere are a number of health problems which raise your risk of stroke. These include:
- high cholesterol which can cause a build-up of fat in the arteries, called , making them narrower and leading to blood clots
- which can damage your blood vessels
- being overweight or obese
- which is a type of irregular heartbeat which can cause blood clots to form in the heart which can travel to the brain
LifestyleA number of factors can also raise your risk of stroke, such as smoking, drinking a lot of alcohol, lack of exercise and stress which can cause a temporary rise in blood pressure.
Other risk factorsA number of other factors which you cant change can also put you at a higher risk:
- age being over 65 years of age
- a family history of stroke if a close relative has had a stroke, namely a parent, grandparent, brother or sister
- being of Asian, African or Caribbean descent
- having had a TIA, stroke or heart attack in the past
Even though some of these cant be changed, you can still lower your risk of stroke by making changes to your lifestyle which improve your overall health, in fact, these lifestyle changes become even more important.
Kick The Smoking Habit
And if youre a woman, its especially important because female smokers face greater heart health risks than male smokers. Talk to your doctor about finding the best smoking cessation plan for you is more than worth the time. Plus, some quit-smoking plans are covered by insurance, though you should check with your plan first to make sure.
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Know The Symptoms Of Stroke:
During a stroke, minutes matter. if you have any of the symptoms below:
- Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the face or body, including a leg or an arm
- Sudden trouble seeing with one or both eyes
- Sudden double vision
- Sudden trouble talking, such as slurred speech
- Sudden severe headache
- Sudden problems using or understanding words
- Sudden dizziness or loss of balance
- Seizures for the first time
- Any of these symptoms that occur and then resolve
During a stroke, blood supply to the brain is cut off. But with prompt medical help, a better recovery is more likely. Dont wait.
To reduce your risk of stroke, have your blood pressure checked and keep it in check.
Tips for reducing hypertension:
Stroke And Brain Problems
High blood pressure can cause the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the brain to burst or be blocked, causing a stroke. Brain cells die during a stroke because they do not get enough oxygen. Stroke can cause serious disabilities in speech, movement, and other basic activities. A stroke can also kill you.
Having high blood pressure, especially in midlife, is linked to having poorer cognitive function and dementia later in life. Learn more about the link between high blood pressure and dementia from the National Institutes of Healths Mind Your Risks®external icon campaign.
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Monitoring Of Physiology In The Stroke Unit
While stroke-unit care reduces mortality and improves functional independence, the mechanisms for this benefit remain unclear. One mode that stroke-unit care may help patients is through careful monitoring and optimization of physiological variables.
Stroke units might facilitate the maintenance of physiological homeostasis by bringing together medical, nursing and other staff experienced in stroke care the necessary equipment for monitoring physiological parameters and protocols to manage aberrant physiology. Monitoring in stroke units also facilitates data collection for subsequent refinement of management protocols.
As can be seen from the above discussion, the optimum strategies for managing these physiological variables remain uncertain. Many stroke units have developed local management protocols guided by the available evidence, informed by experience, and modified according to the resources available locally. Internationally, published evidence-based stroke-management guidelines provide some guidance.
High Blood Pressure And Stroke
High Blood Pressure is the No. 1 Controllable Risk Factor for Stroke. Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure, or hypertension. Work with your doctor to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range . Download Infographic: the High Blood Pressure Increases Stroke.Blood Pressure and Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke. There is robust evidence that screening and treatment of hypertension prevents cardiovascular disease .increase stroke risk? High blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke. HBP adds to your hearts workload and damages your arteries and organs over time. Compared to people whose blood pressure is normal, people with HBP are more likely to have a stroke. About 87% of strokes are caused by narrowed or clogged blood vessels in the brain that cut off the blood flow to brain cells. This is an ischemic stroke. High blood pressure.
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Tips To Control Your Blood Pressure And Reduce Your Risk Of Stroke
You can download the poster above here.
If you think you have high blood pressure, get a check. It could save your life. Increasingly New Zealanders are monitoring their own blood pressure using battery operated digital monitors. Contact us for more information:
Listen to Mau Moananu’s story and why he urges everyone to get their blood pressure checked regularly:
______________________
1 The NZ Health Survey is based on a sample of 13,000 adults, they have not surveyed all New Zealanders and therefore it is only an estimate of the prevalence. Furthermore, the figure is only an estimate of the number of people with hypertension that are medicated, with the latest estimate given at 16.1% of the NZ adult population. So its fair to say we can safely extrapolate that up as there will be a good number of adults who have hypertension but are not medicated, which is how we get to the one in five figure.
What Are The Different Types Of Hypertension
There are two types of hypertension:
- Primary hypertension or essential hypertension is the most common type, and there is no known cause for it. This type of high blood pressure usually takes many years to develop is often the result of lifestyle, environment and older age.
- Secondary hypertension is caused by another health problem or medication:
- Kidney problems
- Thyroid or adrenal gland problems
- Side effects of some medications
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What Is The Fastest Way To Check For A Stroke
If you think someone else may be having a stroke, the National Stroke Association recommends to act FAST with this simple test:
Elevated Blood Pressure In The Acute Phase Of Stroke And The Role Of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
Simona Lattanzi
1Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Conca 71, 60020 Ancona , Italy
Academic Editor:
Abstract
Raised blood pressure is common after stroke but its causes, effects, and management still remain uncertain. We performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials that investigated the effects of the angiotensin receptor blockers administered in the acute phase of stroke on death and dependency. Trials were identified from searching three electronic databases . Three trials involving 3728 patients were included. Significant difference in BP values between treatment and placebo was found in two studies. No effect of the treatment was seen on dependency, death and vascular events at one, three or six months the cumulative mortality and the number of vascular events at 12 months differed significantly in favour of treatment in one small trial which stopped prematurely. Evidence raises doubts over the hypothesis of a specific effect of ARBs on short- and medium-term outcomes of stroke. It is not possible to rule out that different drugs might have different effects. Further trials are desirable to clarify whether current findings are generalizable or there are subgroups of patients or different approaches to BP management for which a treatment benefit can be obtained.
1. Introduction
2. Methods
2.1. Identification and Inclusion of Trials
2.2. Blood Pressure and Outcome
3. Results
| Study |
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Can High Blood Pressure Cause Weird Symptoms
High blood pressure doesnt typically cause symptoms. However, some people may have headaches-especially if their blood pressure skyrockets into the danger zone-a condition known as high blood pressure emergency or urgency. Heres what you need to know about a high blood pressure headache, what other symptoms may occur, and when to call 911.
How Are Strokes Treated
Getting treatment quickly can prevent long-term problems and prevent another stroke from happening in the future. The treatments you have will depend on the type of stroke you had.
If your stroke was caused by a blocked arteryTreatments often include medications to break up blood clots and prevent other blood clots from forming, medications to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and surgery to unblock arteries.
If it was caused by a burst blood vesselYou may need surgery to repair the damage, remove the blood and relieve any pressure that has built up. You may also be given medications to lower your blood pressure.
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How High Blood Pressure Can Cause Stroke
Brain blood vessel rupture : Extremely high blood pressure spikes could stress brain arteries leading to rupture and bleeding. This is the so called hemorrhagic brain stroke.
Brain blood vessel clogging : Chronically increased blood pressure, can cause damage to the brain blood vessel walls, rendering them more susceptible to clogging. Thats because platelets and white blood cells tend to accumulate to the site of damage in order to heal the damaged arteries. This could be the cause of an ischemic brain stroke.
What Happens When You Have High Blood Pressure
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is known as the silent killer because you dont feel, hear, or see any symptoms. When you have hypertension, the force of the blood pushing against your arteries is too strong. Your heart has to work harder than it should, which can damage your arteries and organs over time and lead to a multitude of health problems.
Over time, high blood pressure can cause strokes and heart disease. Research also indicates that people with hypertension have more problems with their memory, including a greater chance of developing dementia.
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Cholesterol Levels And Stroke
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that is made by the human body. It has many essential roles to play, but it becomes a problem if levels in the blood are too high. Blood cholesterol contributes to the formation of a substance called atheroma, which sticks to artery walls and leads to atherosclerosis .Strategies to lower blood cholesterol levels include:
- Have your blood cholesterol levels checked regularly by your doctor.
- Eat a high-fibre diet.
- Reduce your intake of saturated fats .
- See your doctor for information and advice. Medications may be recommended.
Stroke And High Blood Pressure
Stroke is a leading cause of death and severe, long-term disability. Most people whove had a first stroke also had high blood pressure .
High blood pressure damages arteries throughout the body, creating conditions where they can burst or clog more easily. Weakened arteries in the brain, resulting from high blood pressure, put you at a much higher risk for stroke which is why managing high blood pressure is critical to reduce your chance of having a stroke.
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What Do Published Guidelines Say About Management Of Physiological Variables
summarizes the recommendations from published American, European, and Australian stroke treatment guidelines, regarding management of physiological parameters after acute stroke. There is general consistency across the guidelines, with some minor differences, generally in areas in which there is a lack of strong evidence to guide practice.
What Can I Do To Prevent Or Manage High Blood Pressure
Many people with high blood pressure can lower their blood pressure into a healthy range or keep their numbers in a healthy range by making lifestyle changes. Talk with your health care team about
- Getting at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week
- Not smoking
- Managing stress
Learn more about ways to manage and prevent high blood pressure.
In addition to making positive lifestyle changes, some people with high blood pressure need to take medicine to manage their blood pressure. Learn more about medicines for high blood pressure.
Talk with your health care team right away if you think you have high blood pressure or if youve been told you have high blood pressure but do not have it under control.
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Why Does Blood Pressure Matter
- High blood pressure can have many harmful effects which can eventually lead to stroke.
- High blood pressure puts strain on blood vessels all over the body including arteries to the brain.
- High blood pressure can accelerate the build-up of plaque on the artery walls, weakening the walls of the arteries i nyour brain which can cause stroke.
Type 2 Diabetes And Stroke
People with type 2 diabetes don’t have enough insulin in their bodies, which converts sugar from food into energy. Over time this can lead to increases in fatty deposits or clots on the inside of blood vessel walls. If untreated or undiagnosed, these clots can narrow or block the blood vessel walls in the brain, cutting off blood supply to the brain and causing a stroke.
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Does High Blood Pressure Cause Tingling
High blood pressure can lead to a tingling sensation in your hands. If your blood pressure is too high, it can lead to a tingling sensation in your hands. An increase in blood pressure can causes your blood vessels to swell if the nerves in your hands are near these swollen blood vessels, they can become somewhat pinched.
What Is Hypertension
The force that blood exerts on your blood vessels is your blood pressure, and when its measured, the reading is expressed in two numbers: systolic over diastolic. Systolic, the top number, is the number that represents blood pressure when your heart beats. Diastolic, the bottom number, is your blood pressure between beats while the heart relaxes for a moment before beating again. In general hypertension or high blood pressure is above 130/80.
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What You Can Do
If you get your blood pressure under control, you can cut your chance of having a stroke by almost half. Talk to your doctor about whether medication would help. You can also aim to:
- Eat less salt, sugar, and saturated fats . Avoid artificial trans fats . Eat more fiber, fruits, and leafy green vegetables
- Get to a healthy weight. A big belly, compared with your hip size, is one sign of too much fat on your body.
- Stop smoking. If you already smoke, quitting will help lower your odds for stroke.
- Limit alcohol. Drinking too much can raise your blood pressure.
- Exercise regularly. Aim for 30 minutes of aerobic activity, such as brisk walks, 5 times a week.
- Lower your stress. Studies show constant stress makes you more likely to have a stroke or a TIA.