How does high blood pressure increase the risk of stroke?

If you've ever had a stroke, chances are you've had high blood pressure as well. Your doctor may call it hypertension. It is the biggest culprit of strokes, causing more than half of them.

Experts say 80% of strokes are preventable. The best way to do this is to keep your blood pressure within a healthy range. This means less than 120/80.

When is blood pressure too high?

If your blood pressure is constant at 130/80 or more, you have high blood pressure. Your numbers naturally rise and fall depending on what you are doing and your stress level throughout the day. You should review them several times before getting a diagnosis.

The upper number (systolic) is the force in the arteries when the heartbeats. The lowest (diastolic) is the pressure between beats when the heart is at rest.

If any of the numbers are higher than normal, your heart is beating harder than it should. Studies show that over time it increases your chances of having a stroke.

How does high blood pressure cause stroke?

High blood pressure puts constant stress on the arteries. As with an over-inflated tire, too much force in the blood vessels damages the walls of the arteries and weakens them.

There are two main types of stroke, and high blood pressure makes both of them more likely.

Strokes caused by an obstruction in the blood flow. In almost 9 out of 10 cases, you have a stroke because something, usually a clot, is blocking blood flow to the brain. Doctors call it an ischemic stroke. Without oxygen, brain cells start to die within minutes. Usually, a clot form at the site of a blocked blood vessel or elsewhere in the body and then travels to the brain. A moving clot usually means you have an underlying problem, often an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Clots occur more often with high blood pressure because they speed up atherosclerosis, a disease that causes the arteries to harden, narrow, and block the arteries with fatty plaque. High blood pressure also increases the risk of atrial fibrillation. It causes blood to collect in the heart, where a clot can form. Atrial fibrillation is very dangerous because it increases the risk of stroke by five. But there are treatments for it.

Strokes caused by bleeding in or around the brain. These are "hemorrhagic" strokes. They tend to be more serious and fatal than those based on clots. A weak blood vessel ruptures, usually due to an aneurysm, a spot that has swollen under pressure. High blood pressure damages your arteries and makes them more likely to rupture or burst.

High blood pressure can also cause blood clots which lead to temporary "mini-strokes". Transient ischemic attack, or TIA, occurs when a clot dissolves or comes off on its own. Most people fully recover from TIAs, but they are a warning that a full-blown stroke could occur. High blood pressure increases the likelihood of TIA the same way it does with ischemic stroke: by narrowing the arteries and increasing the likelihood of plaques and blood clots.

What you can do

By controlling your blood pressure, you can cut your chances of having a stroke by almost half. Talk to your doctor to see if any medications might help. You can also point to:

• Eat less salt, sugar, and saturated fat (mainly meat and poultry). Avoid artificial trans fats (which are often found in processed foods with “hydrogenated” ingredients). Get more fiber, fruits, and green leafy vegetables.

• Achieve a healthy weight. A big belly, relative to the size of your hips, is a sign of excess fat on your body.

• Stop smoking. If you already smoke, quitting will help lower your risk of having a stroke.

• Restrict alcohol consumption. Drinking too much can increase your blood pressure.

• Exercise regularly. Aim for 30 minutes of aerobic activity, such as brisk walks, 5 times a week.

• Reduce your stress. Studies show that constant stress increases your chances of having a stroke or TIA.

You can reach us at any time of day or night by contacting us through our 24/7 online customer support chat or by calling 1-8SPECTRUM4 (877.328.7864).