Protect Your Brain from Stroke by Managing Blood Pressure

Often referred to as the silent killer, high blood pressure affects almost 48% of Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than three-quarters of people over age 65 suffer from hypertension, which is a chronic high blood pressure greater than 130/80 that requires medication. An optimal blood pressure is 120/80.

Hypertension can lead to stroke, brain bleeds, heart attack, and other serious health conditions. Unfortunately, many people don’t know they have hypertension until something happens.

Jack Rose, MD, a neurointensivist with Washington Health, wants to make sure that people understand the seriousness of hypertension, and take steps to manage it.

Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in neurocritical care and vascular neurology, Dr. Rose will speak on “Protect Your Brain: Stroke, Hypertension and You,” Saturday, May 2, at 10 a.m. Community members may view the presentation on YouTube.com/@Washington_Health. Following the presentation, it will be added to the Washington Health library at www.YouTube.com/@Washington_Health.

Practice the BEFAST Approach

As a neurologist, Dr. Rose is most concerned about how hypertension can cause stroke, which sends approximately 400 to 500 patients a year to Washington Health. A stroke, or "brain attack," is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked (ischemic), or a blood vessel ruptures (hemorrhagic). Dr. Rose will discuss the BEFAST approach, an acronym for Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech and Time – the areas most affected by stroke.

“If you see anything that affects one’s balance, eyes, face, arms and speech, don’t wait to see if their symptoms get better. Stroke care is time sensitive. Act fast. Call 911 and get to the hospital quickly. Don’t wait hours or days,” he stresses. “If you wait, treatment options and outcomes are less effective.”

Dr. Rose will also discuss the acute problem of hypertension, and how people can manage it, starting with a healthy lifestyle and diet, and taking their blood pressure at home. He’ll also discuss the symptoms of high blood pressure that can include headache, blurry vision, and chest tightness, among other things. “Approximately 50% of strokes are caused by high blood pressure,” he explains. “High blood pressure is the strongest contributor to strokes and injury to the brain.”

For those with hypertension, he recommends buying a blood pressure monitor made for the arm and not the wrist, because it’s more accurate. “Check blood pressure at least two times a day,” he adds, “especially if you’re on blood pressure medicine.”

Sometimes, he notes, high blood pressure can be difficult to control, especially if people have certain risk factors and other conditions that affect the heart and circulation.

Managing Risk Factors

“Some risk factors you can’t change,” he says, “like family history and genetics, or medications.” But other factors such as an unhealthy diet, high sodium intake, excess alcohol consumption, smoking, inactivity, and being overweight or obese, are controllable factors that contribute to hypertension. Blood pressure also elevates as people age.

Dr. Rose will discuss how poor sleep and sleep apnea, as well as stress can raise blood pressure. “Poor sleep,” he notes, “raises hormone levels which rev up the body and elevates blood pressure.”

“If you can control your blood pressure, it lowers your risk of stroke,” he explains. “High blood pressure is a very common problem. You may not recognize you have it, so please lead a healthy lifestyle, talk to your doctor, and stay on top of blood pressure.”

For more information on stroke, Dr. Rose, or the Washington Health Neurology Department, visit https://www.mywtmf.com/find-a-doctor/jack-c-rose-md/