High Blood Pressure, Transient Ischemic Attack, and Stroke

Reference High blood pressure Opens New Window (hypertension) is considered the most important and most treatable risk factor for Reference transient ischemic attack Opens New Window (TIA) and Reference stroke Opens New Window. Proper treatment of high blood pressure can reduce the chance of having a TIA or stroke.

High blood pressure increases the pressure inside arteries, Reference causing damage Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window.

• Excessive pressure on the walls of vessels speeds up hardening and narrowing of the arteries (Reference atherosclerosis Opens New Window).
• Reference Aneurysms Opens New Window in the brain may develop, which can lead to a stroke and bleeding inside the brain (hemorrhagic stroke) if an aneurysm ruptures. Aneurysms are often caused by a defect present in the muscular wall of an artery since birth.

High blood pressure can be controlled with medicines and changes in lifestyle. For more information, see the topic High Blood Pressure.

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