‘Hypertension main risk factor in brain stroke’
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, July 6
High blood pressure is defined as a systolic blood pressure at or above 140 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure at or above 90 mm Hg. Systolic blood pressure is the maximum pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts. Diastolic blood pressure is the minimum pressure in the arteries between the heart’s contractions. This situation is called hypertension.
A public awareness programme was organised at Fortis Hospital under the leadership of Dr Sandeep Chopra, additional director, Interventional Cardiology, Fortis Hospital.
Dr Chopra said hypertension was a risk factor for coronary heart disease and the single most important risk factor for brain stroke. Hypertension stresses the body’s blood vessels, causing them to clog or weaken. Hypertension could lead to atherosclerosis and narrowing of the blood vessels, making them more likely to block from blood clots or bits of fatty material breaking off from the lining of the blood vessel wall. Elevated blood pressure in people less than 50 years old was associated with an increased cardiovascular risk.
“As you get older, your systolic blood pressure becomes a more important predictor of the risk of the cardiovascular disease. Though increasing blood pressure is part of aging, a healthy low salt diet, physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of this happening,” said Dr Chopra.
