Comprehensive Guide To Stroke Prevention

Keep Blood Pressure Under Control

An individual who wants to reduce their risk of having a stroke should keep their blood pressure under control. The most prevalent cause for a stroke is hypertension, and over half of all diagnosed strokes are caused by it. Patients who have high blood pressure regularly are between four and six times more likely to experience a stroke than individuals who have healthy blood pressure. Hypertension is defined as a frequent blood pressure reading of over 130/80. High blood pressure causes blood vessel linings to become damaged. Damaged blood vessel linings provide an opportunity for fatty substances such as cholesterol to enter the vessels and form plaque on the vessel walls. A stroke can occur when a small piece of this accumulated plaque substance on the blood vessel walls breaks off and is free to flow in the individual's circulation. This piece of material is referred to as an embolus and can become lodged in any vessel in the body. However, a stroke occurs when an emboli travel to the brain and become lodged in a vessel that is responsible for supplying the brain tissues with blood. Keeping blood pressure under control can prevent blood vessel lining damage that leads to plaque buildup and emboli in the blood that can cause a stroke.

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