Microbleeds linked to high BP

Small bleeding sites in the brain, also known as brain microbleeds are related to high BP. High blood pressure can have serious consequences for one's health. Apart from the heart and the kidneys, the brain is considered to be the next most important organ that suffers the damage resulting from high BP. Brain 'microbleeds', are small bleeding sites in the brain detected with MRI and are indicative of small-vessel disease in the brain They usually cause no immediate symptoms, and can be linked with an increase in the blood pressure in patients who already have high blood pressure. To assess the relation between high BP and brain, researchers assessed the relationship between brain microbleeds visualised on MRI in 218 hypertensive patients and blood pressure, which was measured while the participants were off their blood pressure medications. The results showed that brain microbleeds were associated with higher blood pressures, including those reported at night. It was found that at least one microbleed was detected in 35 participants affecting 16 percent of the study participants. Brain microbleeds are frequently found in high BP patients without a history of cerebrovascular disease and are associated with high BP. Therefore, doctors who treat patients with high blood pressure also need to take into account its effects on the brain.