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Judging from medical perspectives, stroke is a leading cause of death and severe long-term disability. In fact, most people who have had a first stroke also had high blood pressure. High blood pressure damages arteries throughout the body. It creates conditions that can make arteries burst or clog easily. Weakened or blocked arteries in the brain create a much higher risk for stroke, and this is why managing high blood pressure is critical to reducing your risk for stroke.

Speaking of what is the link between hypertension and stroke, it happens when a blood vessel to the brain is narrowed or blocked by a clot (ischemic stroke) or bursts (hemorrhagic stroke). When stroke happens, part of the brain is no longer getting the blood and oxygen it needs. That part of the brain starts to die. Since your brain controls your movement and thoughts, a stroke threatens your ability to think, move and function properly. In any case, stroke can affect language, memory and vision, and the severe ones may even cause paralysis or death.

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HOW DOES HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION) LEAD TO STROKE?

High blood pressure (hypertension) significantly increases stroke risk by damaging and weakening arteries, which can lead to a blockage (ischemic stroke) or a rupture and bleeding (hemorrhagic stroke). By constantly straining the blood vessels, high blood pressure (hypertension) causes them to become stiff, narrow, and prone to damage.

1. Ischemic Stroke: High blood pressure can damage arteries, causing fatty material (plaque) to build up, and this process is called atherosclerosis. The vessels become narrow and create areas where blood clots can form. If a clot blocks an artery supplying the brain, it causes what is called an ischemic stroke.

2. Hemorrhagic Stroke: The constant pressure from high blood pressure can weaken blood vessel walls; making them more likely to rupture and bleed within or around the brain.

3. Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): A TIA, or known as a “mini-stroke”, is caused by a temporary blockage or clot that resolves on its own but serves as a serious warning sign of a future stroke.

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In a nutshell, hypertension or known as “high blood pressure”, is a major risk factor for stroke. High blood pressure adds to your heart’s workload and damages your arteries and organs over time. Compared to people whose blood pressure is normal (below 120/80 mm Hg), people with hypertension are more likely to have a stroke.