Blood pressure raises stroke risk
People who have fluctuating blood pressure (BP) in addition to high blood pressure are at increasedrisk for cerebrovascular disease.
Advertisement
People who have fluctuating blood pressure(BP) in addition to high blood pressure are at increasedrisk for cerebrovascular disease.
Cerebrovascular disease, which includesstroke and other disorders that affect the brain's blood vessels, is associatedwith disability (including cognitive impairment, mood and movement disorders)and a decline in memory and reasoning powers in older adults. To determine theassociation of BP and long-term fluctuation in BP with cerebrovascular disease,researchers followed 686 dementia-free older American adults, who had theirblood pressure measured during three study visits at 24-month intervals. The participants,who also underwent MRI to check for cerebrovascular disease, were divided intofour groups depending on whether they had high or low blood pressure, andwhether they had high or low blood pressure fluctuations during the follow-up.
Participants with the lowest fluctuationshad changes of about 6 percent (among those with low blood pressure) and 5percent (among those with high blood pressure), while those with the highestfluctuations had changes of 14 percent.
High blood pressure and fluctuations inblood pressure were both independently found to be associated with increasedrisk of cerebrovascular disease. But people with both factors were at even agreater risk. It was also found that participants with the highest bloodpressure and fluctuation levels were most likely to be prescribed bloodpressure-lowering drugs. This suggests that failure to adhere to treatment maybe a source of blood pressure fluctuation.
The above findings suggest that high BP andfluctuations in BP are possible risk factors for cerebrovascular disease.
Cerebrovascular disease, which includesstroke and other disorders that affect the brain's blood vessels, is associatedwith disability (including cognitive impairment, mood and movement disorders)and a decline in memory and reasoning powers in older adults. To determine theassociation of BP and long-term fluctuation in BP with cerebrovascular disease,researchers followed 686 dementia-free older American adults, who had theirblood pressure measured during three study visits at 24-month intervals. The participants,who also underwent MRI to check for cerebrovascular disease, were divided intofour groups depending on whether they had high or low blood pressure, andwhether they had high or low blood pressure fluctuations during the follow-up.
Participants with the lowest fluctuationshad changes of about 6 percent (among those with low blood pressure) and 5percent (among those with high blood pressure), while those with the highestfluctuations had changes of 14 percent.
High blood pressure and fluctuations inblood pressure were both independently found to be associated with increasedrisk of cerebrovascular disease. But people with both factors were at even agreater risk. It was also found that participants with the highest bloodpressure and fluctuation levels were most likely to be prescribed bloodpressure-lowering drugs. This suggests that failure to adhere to treatment maybe a source of blood pressure fluctuation.
The above findings suggest that high BP andfluctuations in BP are possible risk factors for cerebrovascular disease.
DoctorNDTV is the one stop site for all your health needs providing the most credible health information, health news and tips with expert advice on healthy living, diet plans, informative videos etc. You can get the most relevant and accurate info you need about health problems like diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, weight loss and many other lifestyle diseases. We have a panel of over 350 experts who help us develop content by giving their valuable inputs and bringing to us the latest in the world of healthcare.
Advertisement