Here’s Why Hypertension Can Strike your Brain and Break your Heart

Hypertension, frequently known as high blood pressure, is a concealed but severe disease that affects millions of individuals throughout the world. Hypertension, also known as the "silent killer," can go untreated and unnoticed for years, steadily destroying essential organs such as the brain and heart. In this article, we'll look at how hypertension can damage your brain and break your heart, emphasizing the importance of early discovery, lifestyle modifications, and pharmaceutical therapies to avoid disastrous results.

Stroke is one of the most precarious complications of hypertension. A stroke happens when the blood supply to a portion of the brain is cut off, either by a clot or a damaged blood artery. Strokes can produce a variety of symptoms such as paralysis, speech difficulties, vision loss, and cognitive impairment.

Hypertension and the Brain

The brain is a complicated organ that requires a continuous supply of oxygen and nutrients given via a network of blood arteries. When blood pressure is consistently high, the greater stress placed on the walls of these vessels might cause damage. This can lead to a variety of brain-related issues over time. According to research, hypertension is associated with cognitive decline and an increased chance of acquiring dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Small blood artery injury in the brain can affect cognitive function and memory. Apart from that, High blood pressure is a substantial risk factor for strokes. Uncontrolled hypertension can cause the blood vessels in the brain to deteriorate or rupture, leading to a hemorrhagic stroke. Additionally, hypertension can contribute to the formation of blood clots, snowballing the likelihood of an ischemic stroke.

Hypertension and the Heart

Hypertension forces the heart to work harder to push blood against elevated pressure in the arteries. This can have severe consequences for the heart. Over time, the extra workload imposed on the heart by hypertension can cause the heart muscle to weaken and become less efficient. This condition, known as heart failure, leads to the heart's inability to pump blood effectively, resulting in fatigue and fluid retention. High blood pressure can disrupt the heart's electrical signals, leading to abnormal heart rhythms or arrhythmias. These irregular heartbeats can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.

The good news is that hypertension is a controllable condition, and steps can be taken to prevent or manage its devastating effects:

Eat a healthy diet. This includes eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Exercise regularly. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.

Maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight or obese, losing even a small amount of weight can help lower your blood pressure.

Limit your sodium intake. The American Heart Association recommends that adults consume no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day.

Limit your alcohol intake. Drinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure.

If you smoke, quit. Smoking is a major risk factor for hypertension.

Svastir helps their patients to be proactive in monitoring blood pressure levels, making healthy lifestyle choices, and seeking medical guidance with the assistance of medical experts. Prevention and early detection are the best ways to protect your brain and heart from the damaging effects of this silent killer. Take charge of your health today and break free from hypertension's grip. Your brain and heart will thank you for it.

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Case Study

Anil Sharma, a Client facing many care transitions, gets a complete care plan and counseling on care choices and costs

Anil has CHF, diabetes and arthritis. He has 10 different physicians and has been hospitalized three times over the past six months. He admits to not knowing how to take his medications and to falling 2-3 times recently. He was discharged two weeks ago and has many in-home services but no focused care plan. His family is concerned about his ability to live alone. Anil is worried about his insurance and how to pay for care.

How the Svastir.Care helped:
  • Ensured all physicians had the same information
  • Set up a workable medication management system
  • Found a homecare company with telehealth services
  • Counseled him and his family on care options and costs

Neena Gupta, a client with multiple chronic conditions, multiple physicians, and providers, gets expert care management.

Seventy-two-year-old Neena Gupta saw a different physician every other week with each one ordering different medications, or changing individual treatment plans. Neena became confused and concerned about the cost of her medications, so she just stopped taking some of her medications and missed many key physician appointments.

How the Svastir.Care helped:
  • Contacted all her physicians.
  • Facilitated changing to less expensive medications.
  • Set up a care management system.
  • Retained a caregiver to assist with meals

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