Hypertension and Stroke Research Note
By Reader's Digest Editors
A brief digest about this topic
High blood pressure is the leading cause of strokes. Also called a “brain attack”, a stroke robs your brain of blood and oxygen and can kill brain cells. This may affect vision, movement, memory, thinking, nerve sensitivity and more. High blood pressure is a potent brain threat because it makes blood more likely to form clots; weakens blood-vessel walls so that a clot is more likely to cause a blockage; and can also force a blood vessel to rupture. Signs of stroke include weakness or numbness on one side of your body, sudden confusion, dizziness or loss of balance, trouble talking, understanding speech, or seeing out of one eye, and a sudden, severe headache.
Fast Facts:- Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the United States and the third-leading cause of death.
- High blood pressure causes half of all ischemic strokes—when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the brain.
- It also raises risk for “ministrokes” (transient ischemic attacks or TIAs), brief strokes that boost your odds for a major stroke later on.
- High blood pressure also increases your risk for a hemorrhagic stroke, when a blood vessel in your brain bursts and bleeds uncontrollably.
- Bringing high blood pressure down to normal levels reduces your risk for a stroke by 50%.
National Stroke Association: Stroke Risk Reduction - High Blood Pressure
stroke.org — “Information on Stroke, Stroke Prevention, Stroke Recovery and Stroke Care.” View full resource at stroke.org
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