How are hypertension, heart disease and stroke related?

Q: How are hypertension, heart disease and stroke related?

Hypertension , or high blood pressure, is a key risk factor for heart disease and stroke . Your blood pressure is the force of your blood moving against the walls of your arteries, which are a type of blood vessel. Your blood pressure is determined by the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries and the amount of blood your heart pumps. When you have high blood pressure it is a sign that your heart is having to work much harder than normal to pump the blood around you body. High blood pressure can damage and narrow arteries, which can limit the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. This can result in a condition called ischemic heart disease, which can cause chest pain and even lead to a heart attack. Approximately half of all people with untreated high blood pressure will die from ischemic heart disease. High blood pressure can also cause an enlarged left heart and heart failure. The blood vessels in the brain can also be affected by high blood pressure, causing them to narrow, rupture or leak, or become blocked due to a blood clot. This can result in a stroke, which is a type of brain injury where brain cells die after being starved of oxygen and nutrients. About a third of people with untreated high blood pressure with die from a stroke.

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 10, 2024.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a key risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Your blood pressure is the force of your blood moving against the walls of your arteries, which are a type of blood vessel. Your blood pressure is determined by the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries and the amount of blood your heart pumps. When you have high blood pressure it is a sign that your heart is having to work much harder than normal to pump the blood around you body.

High blood pressure can damage and narrow arteries, which can limit the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. This can result in a condition called ischemic heart disease, which can cause chest pain and even lead to a heart attack. Approximately half of all people with untreated high blood pressure will die from ischemic heart disease. High blood pressure can also cause an enlarged left heart and heart failure.

The blood vessels in the brain can also be affected by high blood pressure, causing them to narrow, rupture or leak, or become blocked due to a blood clot. This can result in a stroke, which is a type of brain injury where brain cells die after being starved of oxygen and nutrients. About a third of people with untreated high blood pressure with die from a stroke.

What is the best time of day to take blood pressure medication?

Research has suggested that taking your blood pressure medication at night instead of in the morning can provide better blood pressure control at night without compromising daytime blood pressure control and reduce your overall risk of dying because of cardiovascular disease by 45%. Continue reading

Can you take Viagra with high blood pressure?

You can take Viagra (sildenafil) if you have high blood pressure that is controlled by blood pressure medications. Caution is warranted in some cases. You should tell your doctor if you have high or low blood pressure before starting Viagra. Continue reading

How long does it take for magnesium supplements to work?

In general, most people can expect to feel some benefits of magnesium supplementation—such as muscle relaxation or better sleep—within a few days to two weeks, depending on the form and individual health status. Correcting a magnesium deficiency typically requires one to three months of consistent use.

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How are hypertension, heart disease and stroke related?

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