Study confirms blood pressure can increase stroke risk

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — A study led by University of Michigan Health found years of high systolic blood pressure, the top number on the blood pressure reading, significantly increases an adult’s risk of having the two most common types of stroke.

For every 10 points, the risk of Ischemic Stroke goes up 20 percent and the risk of brain hemorrhage jumps by 30 percent. African Americans and Hispanic adults are at greater risk.

“Our findings suggest that early diagnosis and sustained treatment of high blood pressure over time are critical to prevent the two most common types of stroke, especially in Black and Hispanic adults in the United States,” said Deborah Levine, M.D., primary care physician and professor of internal medicine and neurology at the University of Michigan.

Dr. Levine suggested ways to improve blood pressure control on a large scale are to help patients measure their blood pressure at home, by providing home blood pressure monitoring devices, increasing insurance access so patients can visit doctors and the medications they need for blood pressure, reducing salt in foods and increasing access to healthy foods.