How does hypertension lead to stroke

You should avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking some types of calcium channel blockers as it can increase the amount of medication in your bloodstream. This can make your blood pressure drop suddenly and increase your risk of side effects.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice. Thiazide-like diuretics are the diuretics most commonly used to treat high blood pressure. Diuretics are also known as water pills because they work by flushing out excess water and salt from the body through urine. This class of drug is often very successful in lowering blood pressure, especially in people over 55 and those of African-Caribbean origin.

You may need to have regular blood tests after you start treatment to check that the potassium levels in your blood have not dropped, and that your blood sugar level is maintained.

Possible side effects include an increased need to go to the toilet, feeling thirsty, dizziness, weakness, feeling lethargic or sick, muscle cramps, skin rash, an increase in uric acid a chemical in the body that can cause kidney problems and gout , raised blood sugar levels and for men, problems with getting an erection.

Taking diuretics with beta-blockers can increase your long-term risk of diabetes. Check with your doctor whether this medicine combination is right for you. Other types of medication Beta-blockers. Beta-blockers work by making your heart beat more slowly and with less force, which reduces your blood pressure. It is important that you do not suddenly stop taking this type of medication without seeking medical advice first.

These drugs would need to be tailed off gradually. Stopping suddenly can lead to serious side effects such as a rise in blood pressure or an angina attack.

Possible side effects include slowing of the heart rate, cold fingers and toes, nausea, diarrhoea, tiredness and disturbed sleep. If you are taking beta-blockers and experience difficulty breathing, or develop asthma, you should contact your doctor immediately.

Other drug groups. Other drugs that may be used to control blood pressure include doxazosin and terazosin which belong to a group called alpha-blockers , and clonidine and methyldopa which belong to a group called centrally acting drugs. Another type of diurectic called spironolactone can also be used at low doses. In a small number of cases, medicines to lower blood pressure can react negatively with other health conditions or types of medication you may be taking, including some over-the-counter ones.

Always ensure your GP knows your full medical history, and check with your GP or pharmacist before taking any other types of medication. Many people experience no side effects when taking their medication.

However, if you are reacting badly to your blood pressure medication or start to feel unwell, make an appointment with your doctor or nurse as soon as you can. You should have your blood pressure checked and your medication reviewed at least once a year.

Your doctor may want to check this more regularly soon after initiating or changing any treatments. If you have trouble remembering to take it, ask your GP or pharmacist for your medication to be given to you in pre-filled boxes with times clearly marked on them. Call if you think you are having a stroke. Home What is stroke? Diagnosis to discharge Childhood stroke Living with stroke After hospital discharge Effects of stroke Aphasia and communication Fatigue and tiredness Stroke publications Know your risk Are you at risk of stroke?

High blood pressure Are you at risk of stroke? Are you at risk of stroke? High blood pressure 3. Atrial fibrillation 4. Diabetes 5. High cholesterol 6. Sickle cell disease. The information on this page can be accessed in the following formats: Download this information as a pdf or large print document.

Order a printed copy from our shop To request a braille copy, email helpline stroke. What is high blood pressure? Strokes due to a clot in the blood supply to the brain ischaemic stroke High blood pressure puts a strain on all the blood vessels throughout your body, including the ones leading to the brain. Stroke due to bleeding in or around the brain haemorrhagic stroke The extra strain that high blood pressure puts on your blood vessels may cause a weakened blood vessel to burst inside the brain, causing bleeding on and into surrounding tissues.

You are more likely to have high blood pressure if you have one or more of these risk factors: Age: the risk of having high blood pressure rises as you get older. Family history of high blood pressure. Eating too much salt. Being inactive. Being overweight. Drinking large amounts of alcohol. High blood pressure can sometimes be caused by health conditions: Kidney disease.

Obstructive sleep apnoea interrupted breathing during sleep. Pregnant women can develop pre-eclampsia, which causes high blood pressure. Lupus immune disorder. Some medications can affect blood pressure including the combined oral contraceptive pill combi pill and steroids.

Illegal drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines can also raise blood pressure. All these things can eventually lead to high blood pressure. Understanding your blood pressure reading Your blood pressure reading is recorded as two numbers.

Medication for high blood pressure. Tailoring your treatment The medication you take will be tailored to your individual needs. High blood pressure in pregnancy.

Types of medication. The main groups of blood pressure medication are: ACE angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Angiotensin-2 receptor blockers. Thiazide-like diuretics. ACE inhibitors These drugs are usually the first choice of treatment for people aged under 55 who are not of African-Caribbean origin.

This can damage your heart, causing it to misfire or beat irregularly. Plus, the increased pressure inside your arteries hardens them over time and leads to the build-up of hard plaque atherosclerosis that can cause narrowing or closure of your arteries, including the ones supplying blood to your brain.

Scientific research provides compelling evidence that high blood pressure and stroke are closely linked. But while there is no cure for high blood pressure, it can be prevented and well-managed with the help of your physician.

Remember: by doing what you can to prevent high blood pressure, you can also reduce your risk of stroke at the same time. So talk to your doctor about high blood pressure and learn more about how you can help you and your family.

Learn more about how to properly track your blood pressure here. What Is a Stroke? Pretty scary stuff. What is High Blood Pressure? If this happens in the brain, a stroke occurs. How to Prevent High Blood Pressure Scientific research provides compelling evidence that high blood pressure and stroke are closely linked. Adopt a healthier diet. Specifically, consume less salt and sugar and eat more veggies, fruit, and lean animal protein.

Stay physically active. Learn more about ways to manage and prevent high blood pressure. In addition to making positive lifestyle changes, some people with high blood pressure need to take medicine to manage their blood pressure.

Learn more about medicines for high blood pressure. By taking action to lower your blood pressure, you can help protect yourself against heart disease and stroke, also sometimes called cardiovascular disease CVD. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. High Blood Pressure. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate.

High Blood Pressure Symptoms and Causes. Minus Related Pages. On This Page. What is blood pressure? What do blood pressure numbers mean? What are normal blood pressure numbers?

What is high blood pressure hypertension? What are the signs and symptoms of high blood pressure? What causes high blood pressure? What problems does high blood pressure cause? What can I do to prevent or manage high blood pressure? Close You can manage your blood pressure to lower your risk for serious health problems that may affect your heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. Learn about conditions related to high blood pressure.

Measure Your Blood Pressure.