By Angie West, MSN, RN, CCRN, ANVP, Stroke Center Director, MemorialCare Neuroscience Institute, Long Beach Memorial

A stroke, also known as a “brain attack,” occurs when blood flow to an area in the brain is cut off. As a result, brain cells are deprived of the oxygen and glucose needed to survive, and die. If a stroke is not recognized or treated early, permanent brain damage can occur.

Knowing your risk factors is the first step in preventing a stroke. You can change or treat some risk factors, but others you cannot. High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke and the most important controllable risk factor. Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases a person’s stroke risk by four to six times.

What is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, means the blood running through your arteries flows with too much force and puts too much pressure on your arteries, stretching them past their healthy limit and causing small tears. The body then kicks into injury-healing mode to repair these tears with scar tissue. But the scar tissue traps substances that make up plaque and can lead to blockages, blood clots and hardened weakened arteries.

Over time, hypertension leads to atherosclerosis – hardening of the large arteries. This, can lead to blockages of small blood vessels in the brain. High blood pressure also can lead to weakening of the blood vessels in the brain, causing them to balloon and burst. The higher the blood pressure, the greater the risk of stroke. More than 75 percent of Americans who have a stroke have high blood pressure.

Several factors can increase your risk of high blood pressure, including family history, advanced age, smoking, lack of physical activity, poor diet, gender-related risk patterns, overweight and obesity and drinking too much alcohol.

Why Manage Blood Pressure?
Uncontrolled high blood pressure is sometimes called “the silent killer” because it has no symptoms. One in three adults has high blood pressure; yet, many people do not know they have it. Blockages and blood clots mean less blood can get to our vital organs, and without blood, the tissue dies. That is why high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and even heart failure.

To prevent a stroke, it is important to take steps to lower blood pressure and cholesterol (if they are elevated), control diabetes, quit smoking, exercise and maintain a healthy weight. Some people may need to undergo procedures to remove plaque from the arteries or widen the arteries to improve blood flow.

How Can I Reduce My Blood Pressure?
The good news is that high blood pressure can be checked, lowered and controlled. Whether your blood pressure is high or normal, the following lifestyle changes can help you live heart and brain healthy:

  • Eat a healthy diet, including reducing salt intake
  • Engage in regular physical activity and maintain a healthy weight
  • Manage stress
  • Avoid tobacco smoke
  • Take your medication(s) as prescribed
  • If you drink alcohol, limit the amount

Ask your doctor for tips on managing your health and what you can do to reduce your risk of stroke. Take charge of your health, so you not only know how to reduce your risk, but can recognize the signs of stroke.

To recognize the signs and symptoms of a stroke remember the acronym: B.E.F.A.S.T.

B: Balance – sudden loss of balance and coordination
E: Eyes – sudden trouble seeing or blurred vision

F: Face drooping – does one side of the face drop or is it numb
A: Arm or leg weakness – numbness especially on one side of the body
S: Speech difficulty – sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
T: Time – stroke is a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately

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