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Minor decrease in blood pressure can reduce stroke risk by 43%

 Blood pressure
Posted on Oct 31 2011
Blog/ News / Articles >> Blood pressure

Studies have shown that decreasing our blood pressure by 12/5 can reduce our risk of recurrent stroke by 43%. What you need to do is to get your blood pressure checked on a regular basis, at least 3 to 4 times a year if not already diagnosed, take your medications regularly, eat a low-salt diet, quit smoking, and indulge in regular physical activity.

Eminent vascular neurologist at the Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, USA, Dr. Shaneela Malik gave this piece of advice while addressing a public awareness seminar organised by Shifa International Hospital (SIH) here Saturday to mark World Stroke Day.

Stroke, a condition in which the brain or spinal cord is damaged by an abnormality of the blood supply, is the second leading cause of death and the leading cause of long-term disability. As many as 15 million people suffer from stroke every year; among them, one-third die and one-third become permanently disabled.

“Hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, orally chewing tobacco and heart diseases are leading causes of stroke,” she listed.

Hypertension affects the entire body. Over time, uncontrolled blood pressure can cause our blood vessels to harden. This leads to build-up of cholesterol in the blood vessel and causes it to become narrow. Eventually, this may cause heart attack or stroke. According to Dr. Shaneela, hypertension is a big problem because firstly, people don’t know they have it.


Moving on to how diabetes can cause stroke, Dr. Shaneela explained that diabetes can increase the rate at which cholesterol plaque gets deposited into your blood vessels, thus hardening the blood vessels.


Smoking is another risk factor for stroke. Tobacco smoke contains carbon monoxide which decreases the amount of oxygen in the blood. This affects the oxygen going to the brain as well. In addition, the nicotine in cigarettes increases heart rates and blood pressure. Smoking affects factors that thin our blood, increases triglycerides (cholesterol), decreases HDL (good cholesterol), and damages the lining of our blood vessels. This risk is almost 50% more among people who smoke than those who do not. Studies have shown that quitting smoking will decrease the risk of stroke by 50% in the first year alone. In 5 years, the risk of stroke in former cigarette smokers is equal to that of someone who never smoked.

Contact me now to find out how the Hypnotension approach can help you to manage your blood pressure better on 07977 598 387

Last changed: Oct 31 2011 at 11:47 AM

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