Stroke and Hypertension: An Overview of Prevalence, Risk & Diagnosis

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the cardiovascular system, focusing on stroke and hypertension as critical medical conditions. It examines the prevalence, risk factors, diagnosis, and prognosis of each disorder. The report highlights that stroke, or brain attack, occurs when oxygen supply to the brain is interrupted, leading to cell death and loss of function. Key risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disorders. Diagnosis involves CT scans, MRI, and transcranial Doppler. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is defined as a persistent elevation of blood pressure in the arteries. Risk factors include obesity, excessive sodium intake, and alcohol consumption. Diagnosis involves blood pressure measurement using a sphygmomanometer, with multiple elevated readings required for confirmation. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of managing these conditions to reduce mortality and morbidity, and it is a useful resource for students, with Desklib offering similar solved assignments and past papers.

Running head: STROKE AND HYPERTENSION 1
Stroke and Hypertension
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1. Abstract
The cardiovascular system is the primary transport network of the body. This research paper
aims at looking at the major components of the cardiovascular system. Further on, hypertension
and stroke being essential medical conditions affecting the system will be discussed. The paper
seeks a deep understanding of the critical health risk factors that elevate the chances of an
individual suffering from each of the two health conditions. Finally, the main ways through
which each disorder is diagnosed as well as its prognosis will be brought into the limelight.
2. Introduction
The cardiovascular system comprises of the heart and blood vessel. Additionally, there are
approximately five liters of blood that circulate within the system through the blood vessels.
Powered by the heart, the most hardworking organ of the body, the cardiovascular system
transports nutrients, oxygen, cellular waste products, and hormones throughout the body.
(Noble, Johnson, Thomas,
& Bass, 2013)

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Pulmonary circulatory loop and the systemic circulatory loop are the two paths through which
blood move around the body. (Noble, Johnson, Thomas, & Bass, 2013). Capillaries, arteries and
veins are the key types of blood vessels. Transport of blood from the heart is done by arteries
while and returned back to the heart by veins. Capillaries, on the other hand, supply blood to and
from all body tissue. Like all other body systems, some diseases affect the heart and the
cardiovascular system at large. Stroke and hypertension are examples and are discussed
henceforth comprehensively.
3. Stroke
Stroke also referred to as brain attack, is a condition that occurs when interruption or reduction
occurs on the supply of oxygen to part of the brain. The tissues and cells of the affected region
are subsequently deprived of oxygen and nutrients and begin dying (Grotta, 2015). When the
brain cells die, functionality of the affected part is lost. Such functions include muscle control
and memory.
3.1 Prevalence
According to CDC (Centers for Disease Control), approximately one hundred and forty thousand
Americans die annually as a result of a stroke. Every forty seconds, somebody in the US has a
stroke, and a stroke-related death occurs at least once every four minutes. Annually, more than
seven hundred and ninety-five thousand suffer from stroke with six hundred and ten thousand of
them being new cases (CDC, 2017). Ischemic stroke accounts for more than 87% of all cases
whereby the flow of blood into the brain is obstructed.
3.2 risk factors

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There are some risk factors of stroke that cannot be controlled. They include family, age and
gender. Majority of the risk factors are, however, lifestyle related. People with high blood
pressure are at higher risk of getting stroke. High levels of cholesterol in the body is another
factor. Common heart disorders such as coronary heart disorder are also risk factors. Such
disorders cause building up of plaque in the arteries and thus blocking the flow of blood to the
brain. Other risk factors include diabetes, sickle cell disease, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity,
obesity, excessive alcohol, and tobacco smoking (CDC, 2018).
3.3 diagnosis and prognosis
Symptoms being experienced by an individual are the initial indicators of presence or absence of
stroke. If a doctor is suspicious of stroke from the symptoms, a head CT is a standard test. MRI
(Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is another test for diagnosing stroke. Here, pictures of the brain
are taken without using an X-ray. Trans-cranial Doppler which utilizes ultrasound waves is used
to examine the arteries that carry blood to the brain and find out if they may be blocked (Grotta,
2015). Patient prognosis is more positive after an ischemic stroke than after a hemorrhagic
stroke. The duration of hemorrhage or obstruction and the level of brain cell death determine the
chances of recovery.
4. hypertension
Hypertension also called high blood pressure, is a health disorder whereby, there is a persistent
elevation of blood pressure in the arteries (Mancia, 2013). This medical condition is long-term
and portrays no typical symptoms.
4.1 Prevalence

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According to CDC, hypertension prevailed at a rate of 29% in the USA in the duration 2015-
2016. The figures, however, increased with age: 18-39 years, 7.5%; 40-49 years, 33.2%; above
60 years, 63.1% (Fryar, Ostchega, Hales, Zhang, & Kruszon-Moran, 2017). Non-Hispanic blacks
have a higher prevalence of 40.3% in comparison to non-Hispanic white whose prevalence is
27.8%. Non-Hispanic Asians on the other side have a prevalence of 20%. Controlled
hypertension prevails at 48.3% with the figures continuously increasing with increase in age for
men but not for women.
4.2 risk factors
Obesity or being overweight is the leading risk factor. These conditions necessitate an increase in
blood flow in the blood vessels which in turn increases blood pressure in the arteries. Diets with
excessive sodium/salt are another risk factor. High amounts of sodium results to constriction of
arteries. Insufficient intake of calcium is another potential cause of hypertension. This mineral
actively causes relaxation of arterial smooth muscle cells which in turn lowers blood pressure
(Mancia, 2013). Excess consumption of alcohol is another risk factor. Alcohol activates the
adrenergic nervous system which in turn results to blood vessels constricting and simultaneously
increasing heart rate and blood flow. Other factors are stress, physical inactivity, and vitamin D
deficiency.
4.3 diagnosis and prognosis
Blood pressure is measured with a sphygmomanometer. The device measures both the systolic
and diastolic blood pressure. Basing on the most recent guidelines, blood pressure of less than
120/80 mm Hg is regarded as standard. When the pressure, however, exceeds 130/80 mm Hg,
hypertension is most likely to be present (Mancia, 2013). On high reading does not, however,

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lead to diagnoses of the disease. Several readings must be done at different times with three
elevated readings required to make a diagnosis. Reduction in blood pressure decreases mortality
and morbidity. Uncontrolled hypertension, however, may lead to renal, cardiac, vascular and
cerebrovascular diseases.
5. Conclusion
Conclusively, blood vessels and the heart have been identified as the major components of the
cardiovascular system. Stroke, a cardiovascular system disorder, has been defined as a condition
where blood flow to the brain is obstructed leading to the death of essential cells in the brain.
High blood pressure and high cholesterol levels in the body are some of the risk factors that have
been identified. Hypertension on the other side has is defined as persistent elevation of blood
pressure on the arteries. Stress, excess alcohol intake and obesity are some of the risk factors
identified. For both disorders, diagnoses and prognoses have also been documented.

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6. References
CDC. (2017, Sep 6). Stroke. Retrieved Nov 27, 2018, from https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm
CDC. (2018, May 3). Stroke: Behavior. Retrieved Nov 27, 2018, from
https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/behavior.htm
Fryar, C. D., Ostchega, Y., Hales, C. M., Zhang, G., & Kruszon-Moran, D. (2017, October).
National Center for Health Statistics:Hypertension Prevalence and Control Among
Adults: United States, 2015–2016. Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db289.htm
Grotta, J. C. (2015). Stroke: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management (illustrated ed.).
Elsevier Health Sciences.
Mancia, G. (2013). Resistant Hypertension: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and
Treatment (illustrated ed.). Springer Science & Business Media.
Noble, A., Johnson, R., Thomas, A., & Bass, P. (2013). The Cardiovascular System E-Book:
Systems of the Body Series (2 ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.