The Link Between High Blood Pressure and Stroke

In the United States, stroke is a leading cause of severe, long-term disability and death among men and women.

To reduce your risk for stroke and the high blood pressure that causes it, our team at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, LLC, offers comprehensive preventive screenings and other services on-site.

Understanding high blood pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, describes elevated blood pressure within your arteries, the vessels that carry blood to the heart and other tissues of your body.

You can have either primary or secondary hypertension. In primary hypertension, your blood pressure is elevated for no identifiable reason. This type of high blood pressure typically develops gradually over time due to weight challenges, poor diet, and smoking.

Secondary hypertension occurs because of an underlying medical condition, like adrenal disease, thyroid disease, or kidney disease.

When blood doesn’t flow easily through your arteries, it can lead to damage in the vessels and increase your risk for heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, and stroke.

What to know about strokes

A stroke occurs when something interferes with blood flow to your brain. Even if your brain is deprived of oxygen for only a few minutes, it can lead to the death of nerve cells and irreparable brain damage.

Without immediate treatment, you may be left with mental or physical disabilities because of a stroke. You may also be at risk for premature death within minutes of having a stroke.

Warning signs of a stroke include:

• Numbness
• Stumbling
• Clumsiness
• Blurred vision
• Slurred speech
• Noticeable facial drooping

What’s the link between high blood pressure and stroke?

Untreated high blood pressure can damage, block, or rupture the arteries throughout your body.

As your arteries become weaker from this type of damage, you can develop a blood clot (ischemic stroke) or experience a rupture (hemorrhagic stroke) in the arteries that supply your brain with oxygen-rich blood.

You can also have a transient ischemic attack (TIA) if a blood clot temporarily limits blood flow to your brain. These attacks are also known as a mini-stroke, which can be a warning sign that you’re at risk for having an actual stroke.

Stroke prevention starts here

At HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, LLC, we specialize in stroke-prevention services to protect your overall health.

As part of your prevention plan, we may recommend one or more of these strategies:

• Losing weight
• Quitting smoking
• Managing stress
• Reducing alcohol intake
• Increasing exercise 
• Taking medications to control high blood pressure

We also offer carotid ultrasound screenings to check your arteries for blockages or narrowing that can lead to a stroke. We can also help you manage diabetes, a chronic condition that can cause damage to your blood vessels and increase your risk for stroke.

Stroke rehabilitation

If you’ve already had a stroke and need help recovering, our team can work with you on a rehabilitative plan. The goal of rehabilitation is to restore your mobility after a stroke so you can lead a full and active life.

Learn more about the stroke-prevention services available at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, LLC, by calling the office nearest you today or booking an appointment online.