ANN ARBOR, Mich. – We know high blood pressure is linked to a higher risk of a host of cardiovascular problems -- one of which is stroke.
The question is: how high is too high? And should People of Color be especially careful of their blood pressure since we also know strokes are more common in minority communities?
New research from the University of Michigan found that blood pressure control -- particularly of the systolic blood pressure, the top number -- is important regardless of someone’s race or ethnicity.
But because Black and Hispanic people are more likely to have undiagnosed and untreated high blood pressure, awareness is especially important.
“The main finding of our study is that higher sustained systolic blood pressure levels over time are associated with substantially higher risks of the two most common types of stroke, ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage,” said Dr. Deborah Levine. ”For every 10 points higher mean systolic blood pressure levels above normal, the risk of ischemic stroke is increased by 20% and the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage is increased by 30%.”
Levine is a professor of internal medicine and neurology at the University of Michigan. She said blood pressure control remains a poorly managed health problem.
“The reasons we haven’t seen improvements in blood pressure control in the United States over recent years are unclear, but likely relate to rising rates of obesity, difficulty accessing physician care and trouble affording medications and medical care,” Levine said. “I see a lot of patients in practice who need to have more attention about their blood pressure. High blood pressure is the most important risk factor for stroke, and it is important for patients to be monitoring their blood pressure at home.”
As a reminder, high blood pressure is greater than 130 over 80 measured on two or more occasions. Home blood pressure monitors are not terribly expensive -- you can find reliable ones for about 30 to 50 dollars. If you don’t have a home monitor, most pharmacies also offer blood pressure checks.