High blood pressure is a risk factor for a number of serious diseases, including stroke.
4/26 was established as National Day to Prevent and Combat High Blood Pressure, also known as high blood pressure. This is a chronic disease characterized by high blood pressure levels in the arteries. According to the Ministry of Health, it happens when the maximum and minimum pressure values are equal to or greater than 140/90 mmHg (ie 14 by 9).
“It is a silent and chronic disease, the vast majority of the time the diagnosis is made in a routine medical evaluation. If the person does not usually see a doctor, years can go without the diagnosis of the disease,” says cardiologist Dr. . Claudio Catharina, Head of the coronary care unit at the Hospital de Icaraí (HI)
The expert points out that it is important to know your blood pressure, knowing that lifestyle changes and medications can reduce the disastrous consequences of hypertension. Among them, the doctor highlights stroke, heart attack, heart and kidney failure.
Hypertension and stroke
High blood pressure is one of the major risk factors for stroke. The risk is the same for both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, explains neurosurgeon and stroke specialist Dr. Victor Hugo Espindola.
According to the doctor, high blood pressure puts high pressure on the walls of the arteries. This pressure can lead to an inflammatory process that results in the progressive formation of fatty plaques in these walls, a condition known as atherosclerotic disease. The condition can cause ischemic stroke in two ways:
- This fatty plaque grows to the point where it completely blocks an artery. Then that region of the brain which would be irrigated by this artery runs out of blood, causing the vascular accident;
- Or, during this growing process, fatty plaque loosens a piece and sails through the bloodstream, clogging a smaller artery, causing an ischemic stroke by the same mechanism.
Hemorrhagic stroke can also be caused in two main ways. “First, the very high pressure on the artery wall can lead to its rupture, causing blood to leak into the brain tissue. This is one of the most common types of hemorrhagic stroke,” the neurosurgeon points out.
“Or, over the long term, the high pressure on the artery wall leads to progressive dilation, forming brain aneurysms. As they grow, they can rupture, and when they rupture, blood leaks to the brain, causing one of the types of stroke.” more serious bleeding problems, which is subarachnoid hemorrhage following a ruptured brain aneurysm,” adds the doctor.
Risk factors and prevention
The doctor. Claudio emphasizes that the main way to prevent high blood pressure is to adopt a lifestyle based on weight control habits, a diet low in salt and condiments, and regular exercise. Also, it’s important to stay away from other risk factors for high blood pressure, such as smoking.
The doctor reminds that high blood pressure affects men and women who are still young in their 30s and 40s. However, it can also affect children and adolescents in smaller numbers. Furthermore, girls who use contraceptives and cigarettes are at a higher risk of developing the disease early.
“Family history is also an important and determining factor for the development of the disease. This is because if the father or mother has been hypertensive throughout their adult life, the possibility for their children to develop the condition increases,” says the expert.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
