HBP and Strokes

Always heard about friends, family and everyone else having high blood pressure (HBP).  Even my own father was diagnosed recently and had to start on medication.  Many were concern and reminded him over and over to take his medication on time. Thus, I'm indirectly responsible to ensure he takes his medication.

Still, I've never really understood nor register the real complications of HBP.

I learnt all about HBP in one night, within a few hours last night, when I saw this man, my own Uncle, the youngest amongst the seniors, lying in the emergency room, on life support.  The attack was silent and ruthless.  His wife, son, the entire family couldn't believe what the doctor was saying...

"It's a massive stroke. A major rupture at the brain stem. Irreversible.  His brain is gone.  Nothing we can do.  In a matter of days, he will pass on..."

We don't meet often, occasional events bring us together, and we will say our Hellos and How Are Yous.  I always see him as this Tall, Handsome and fun Uncle regardless of his age.

We last met in October.  He was healthy and good, apart from a slightly more aged appearance.  Who doesn't age anyway?  The centre of attention was on the youngest family member, the one year old birthday boy and the oldest member, my father who was just diagnosed with High BP.  I had the honor of snapping a handsome photo of him with his grand children as the unofficial photographer for the night.  That's probably the last photo of him...


It was heartbreaking to see my cousin, standing forlornly by the bedside, caressing the father's forehead...it must be so difficult to have to let him go.

Uncontrolled high BP causes damages to arteries throughout the body, the brain inclusive.  Depending on severity, damages from a stroke can be mild, severe, irreversible or even fatal.  If you have friends or family members with history of high BP, please please make sure there are regular monitoring and medication.

In summary:
HBP damages arteries so they burst or clog more easily, very often.  resulting in a stroke.

A stroke, on the other hand, occurs when a blood vessel to the brain is either blocked by a clot (ischemic stroke) or bursts (hemorrhagic stroke). When that happens, part of the brain is no longer getting the blood and oxygen it needs, so it starts to die. Your brain controls your movement and thoughts, so a stroke doesn't only hurt your brain. It also hurts the brain's ability to think and control body functions. Strokes can affect language, memory and vision as well as cause paralysis and other health issues (death inclusive).

My Uncle was unfortunate to be hit by a hemorrhagic stroke at the brain stem, the most important part of the brain i,e blood vessel in the brain breaks or ruptures resulting in blood seeping into the brain tissue, causing damage to brain cells.

In short:

• Stroke is the leading cause of disability.
• Stroke is the third leading cause of death.
• Stroke is preventable by the control of risk factors.
• Stroke is treatable, but patients must seek immediate medical care.
• All persons should be aware of the signs and symptoms of stroke.

The good news is, p to 80% of all strokes are preventable. Many risk factors can be controlled before they cause problems. Some controllable risk factors include:

• High blood pressure (High = greater than 140/90)
• Atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart rhythm)
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• High total cholesterol (greater than 200)
• Smoking
• Alcohol (more than one drink per day)
• Being overweight
• Existing carotid and/or coronary artery disease

These are the signs ans symptoms of a stroke:

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body)
• Sudden blurred vision or decreased vision in one or both eyes
• Sudden inability to move part of the body (paralysis)
• Sudden dizziness or headache with nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty speaking or understanding words or simple sentences
• Difficulty swallowing
• Dizziness, loss of balance, or poor coordination
• Brief loss of consciousness
• Sudden confusion

Immediately call for medical help if you have the above stroke symptoms. 
Stroke is a medical emergency. 
Immediate treatment can save your life or increase your chances of a full recovery.

Reference: WebMD