How Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) affects the brain?
High blood pressure is defined as a systolic blood pressure above 140 mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure above 90 mmHg. Systolic blood pressure is the maximum pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts. Diastolic blood pressure is the minimum pressure in the arteries between the heart’s contractions. You will be classed as having high blood pressure if yours is consistently above 140/90 mmHg.
The stress that high blood pressure causes on all your blood vessels makes them weaken and predisposes them to damage. The heart also has to work double time to keep your blood circulating. Once the blood vessel weakens they are more likely to block. Our brain depends on a nourishing blood supply to work properly and survive. But high blood pressure may cause several problems to the brain, including:
Transient ischemic attack (TIA). Commonly called a ministroke, It is a brief, temporary disruption of blood supply to your brain. It's often caused by atherosclerosis or a blood clot — both of which can arise from high blood pressure. A transient ischemic attack is often a warning that you're at risk of a full-blown stroke.
Stroke. A stroke occurs when part of your brain is deprived of oxygen and nutrients, causing brain cells to die. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke by damaging and weakening your brain's blood vessels, causing them to narrow, rupture or leak. High blood pressure can also cause blood clots to form in the arteries leading to your brain, blocking blood flow and potentially causing a stroke.
Dementia. Dementia is a brain disease resulting in problems with thinking, speaking, reasoning, memory, vision and movement. There are a number of causes of dementia. One cause, vascular dementia, can result from narrowing and blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the brain. It can also result from strokes caused by an interruption of blood flow to the brain. In either case, high blood pressure may be the culprit.
Mild cognitive impairment. Mild cognitive impairment is a transition stage between the changes in understanding and memory that come with aging and the more-serious problems caused by Alzheimer's disease. Like dementia, it can result from blocked blood flow to the brain when high blood pressure damages arteries.
By living a healthy and active lifestyle, you can help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range and lower your risk for brain and heart diseases. A healthy lifestyle includes:
Eating a healthy diet.
Maintaining a healthy weight.
Getting enough physical activity.
Not smoking.
Limiting alcohol use.
To prevent complications and other possible effects of high blood pressure, it is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Blood pressure that was once considered to be high-normal is now cause for concern. If you work with your doctor to find the right combination of lifestyle changes and medication, you will probably be able to control your high blood pressure over time. #highbloodpressure #hypertention #bloodpressure #stroke #strokecare #strokerisk #risk #treatment #symptoms #brain #braindamage #brainspecialist #demetia #tia #specialist #winnielimkhoo #doctor #neurologist #manila #philippines #health #tips #advise #medical #help
