How are hypertension, heart disease, and stroke related? Hypertension is the condition whereby the blood pressure on the arteries is excessively high or the high blood pressure. Otherwise, it may result in severe health issues like a stroke and heart disease in the long run.
Heart disease is a disease that affects the heart, and stroke is a disease that affects the brain because of the absence of blood flow to the brain. Stroke can also cause heart disease on the same note.
Learn more about heart disease and stroke, and how they are connected to high blood pressure.
How are hypertension, heart disease, and stroke related?
High blood pressure reduces the blood supply to the heart, thereby increasing the chances of getting heart illness. The blood vessels that supply the brain with blood also run the risk of being damaged by high blood pressure. Stress can cause the quantity of blood flow in the brain to reduce therefore resulting to a stroke..
Hypertension, Heart Disease, and stroke-related conditions.
Heart disease may influence the blood circulation to the brain, thus leaving your heart to find it hard to pump blood to the brain.
It is caused by damage to the heart and arteries due to high blood pressure. It even exposes your arteries to plaque. Your arteries, in its turn, will become narrower in the process of atherosclerosis. As such, when stress is increased, the heart muscle becomes thick. This makes you more inflexible in your heart. It may lead to heart disease, which in turn may lead to the following problems:
- Coronary artery disease: Coronary artery disease is the deposition in the arteries. It is the most popular form of heart disease.
- Heart attack: Blocked and damaged blood vessels prevent the supply of blood to the heart resulting in an attack.
- Heart failure: The high blood pressure makes the heart thick, thus making it weak. You will be unable to think after a period of time. This once again is because of the danger of high blood pressure of the arteries.
Hypertensive Cardiovascular Disease
Hypertensive cardiovascular disease (HCD) is a heart and blood vessel disorder that actually comes about as a result of constant high blood pressure (hypertension). With time, high blood pressure would lead to the heart working more than normal, and this damages the heart muscle, blood vessels, and other organs associated with it in the long run. Otherwise, this condition may cause serious complications that include heart failure, coronary artery disease, and stroke when not taken early.
It has been explained step by step as follows to give you a clear idea of how hypertensive cardiovascular disease develops and results in the body.
Step-by-Step Progression of Hypertensive Cardiovascular Disease
| Step | What Happens | Impact on the Heart & Vessels |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1: Persistent High Blood Pressure | Blood pressure remains consistently above normal levels | Arteries experience constant stress |
| Step 2: Increased Heart Workload | The heart must pump harder to push blood through narrowed arteries | Heart muscles begin to thicken |
| Step 3: Left Ventricular Hypertrophy | The left ventricle becomes enlarged and stiff | low heart efficiency |
| Step 4: Low Blood Flow | Thickened arteries limit the oxygen-rich blood supply | Higher risk of chest pain and ischemia |
| Step 5: Structural Heart Damage | Heart walls lose flexibility and pumping power | Early signs of heart failure |
| Step 6: Advanced Cardiovascular Complications | Damage spreads to the coronary arteries and other organs | Heart attack, stroke, kidney disease |
High blood pressure can cause two types of strokes
Ischemic Stroke
High blood pressure can lead to complications of the blood vessels that transport blood to the brain. This leads to constriction of blood vessels, leading to blockage. This can lead to the blockage of blood supply to the brain will cause ischemic stroke. The plaquemanufactures on the arteries and blocks the blood flow in the brain.
Hemorrhagic Stroke
The stress of high blood pressure causes the arterial walls to be weak. This will make the pressure exerted on the arteries more difficult. And somewhere, the weak artery surrounding yours or in your brain will burst out, spewing momentarily. It is termed a hemorrhagic stroke.
What does it mean by high blood pressure?
The reading of a blood pressure has two numbers.
The highest reading is that of systolic blood pressure. It is the push in your arteries that is created as your heart pumps the blood. We have the lowest value of 105 diastolic blood pressure. It is a term talking about the pressure between the heartbeats against your arteries.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
Systolic blood pressure: Normal: less than 120
- Elevated (prehypertension): 120–129
- Stage 1 hypertension: 130–139
- Stage 2 hypertension: 140 or higher
- Hypertension crisis: higher than 180
Diastolic blood pressure: Normal: less than 80
- Elevated (prehypertension): less than 80
- Stage 1 hypertension: 80-89
- Stage 2 hypertension: 90 or higher
- Hypertension crisis: higher than 120
Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure often has no obvious symptoms. This is a silent situation. Generally speaking, symptoms of high blood pressure only appear when it is severe. However, this will take years to complete.
How to lower blood pressure to decrease the risk of stroke
The therapy is based on a change in lifestyle and anti-hypertensive medicines.
One of the best methods of preventing heart disease and stroke is by reducing your blood pressure.
A drop in systolic blood pressure of 10 mmHg decreases the chances of developing heart disease, heart failure, and stroke, as found in a study of 2016.
How to lower blood pressure?
- Control your weight. High weight puts one at risk of hypertension.
- Regular exercise. On a daily basis, physical activity could assist in strengthening your heart and lowering blood pressure.
- Limit sodium. Excess sodium is the cause of the development of high blood pressure. Cold cuts and frozen foods are foods with a big proportion of sodium.
- Reduce your alcohol intake. High blood pressure can also be attributed to excessive alcohol use.
Stop smoking. If you smoke, try to quit. The effects of some types of smoking include difficulty in the heart to soften the arteries, and an increase in blood pressure. It is not always an easy job; however, your doctor may help you to develop a quit plan that would prove to be effective on your part. - Manage stress levels. Stress can also encourage bad ways of living, e.g., the consumption of alcohol regularly or taking processed food. There are many ways of reducing stress in your life.
Take the medications. Your physician may offer you some medication to help you reduce your blood pressure. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and calcium channel blockers are some of them. They will also be lucky to confront the other risk factors, which include high cholesterol and diabetes.
You should see your doctor if:
- A family history of high blood pressure, heart disease, or stroke
- Diabetes
- Shortness of breath
- Pain or aching in the neck, jaw, Head, or back discomfort
- Unexplained chest pain
- No visible change
Treatment Emergency
Chronic high blood pressure can lead to serious illnesses. The following symptoms require urgent help:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Numbness in one or both arms
- Throbbing in the jaw, neck, or back
- Weakness on one side of your arm, face, or body
- Speech problems
- Stroke
- Slightly blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Unexplained severe headache
- Fainting
Conclusion
How do Hypertension, Heart Disease, and Stroke Relate to Each Other? – Hypertension is asymptomatic in nature. You are to have your blood pressure in order to determine whether you have high blood pressure. Unattended high blood pressure can lead to a stroke or a heart attack. Eating less sodium in your food products and consuming more energy in the form of physical activities and less alcohol will help you lower your blood pressure. Quitting will be a good habit to you in case you are a smoker. Some medications would help you normalize your blood pressure, and your physician can prescribe some.
