An Epidemic Of Stroke?

According to the American Stroke Association, a stroke or brain attack occurs at about 45 seconds in the United States affecting an estimated 700,000 Americans each year. Sounds alarming? If it is the no. 1 silent killer of Americans then why is it not talked about in every talk shows or why is it not shouted at every rooftop to alarm every citizen?

Stroke is defined as a type of cardiovascular disease that affects the blood vessels in or around the brain. There are two types : Ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ishemic or ischemia happens when a blood clot block an artery leading to the brain. While hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts or ruptures, and hemorrhage occurs as a result of uncontrolled blood pressure.

What has been done to reduce the risk? European and American hypertension specialists appear to be in the process of revising it’s therapeutic guidelines over the issue of “prehypertension”. The original prehypertension concept positions that for some high-risk people with blood pressure as low as 120/80 mm Hg should be treated with hypertensive drugs. When this guideline was first articulated in 2003, European cardiologist argued that by lowering the treatment threshold, it would render as many as 50 million more eligible for drug therapy. That would also make pharmaceutical companies happier. American scientists prehypertension idea called attention to the fact that there are a lot of high-risk people who have early signs of organ damage, and they need treatment regardless of the blood pressure numbers.

The new guidelines after the 2003 edition is expected next year. Whatever, it is predicted that it will definitely underscore the general importance of lowering blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure is protective, regardless of the kind of treatment one gives. The new definition of hypertension should not be based on rigid numbers or cut-offs, but rather on the assessment of the overall state of a person’s health.