It's not just high blood pressure itself that impacts your health, but the cumulative effects of having it over the years. A study revealed that having high systolic blood pressure over time significantly increases the risk of developing a stroke.

Systolic blood pressure is the pressure when the blood pushes against the artery walls when the heart beats. A normal systolic pressure is under 120 mmHg.

The latest study published in the journal Jama Network has uncovered the striking link between elevated systolic blood pressure over time and stroke risk. They examined how elevated blood pressure affects three distinct types of strokes: ischemic strokes, which account for over 85% of all strokes and occur when a clot disrupts blood flow to the brain; intracerebral hemorrhages, where bleeding happens within the brain itself; and subarachnoid hemorrhages, which involve bleeding between the brain and its protective coverings.

After analyzing 40,000 adults with no prior stroke history over an average follow-up of 21 years, the team discovered that a mean systolic blood pressure just 10 mmHg above average is associated with a 20% increased risk of both overall and ischemic strokes, and a striking 31% higher risk of intracerebral hemorrhage.

While analyzing the incidence of strokes among different races, the researchers noted that Black patients had a 20% higher risk of ischemic stroke and a 67% higher risk of intracerebral hemorrhage than white patients. Hispanic patients had a 281% higher risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage but no increased risk for other stroke types.

However, the study observed that race and ethnicity did not significantly impact the link between cumulative systolic blood pressure and stroke type.

"Our results suggest that early diagnosis and sustained control of high blood pressure over the lifespan are critical to preventing stroke, ischemic stroke, and intracerebral hemorrhage, especially in Black and Hispanic patients who are more likely to have uncontrolled hypertension than white patients," senior author Deborah A. Levine said in a news release.

Based on their findings, the researchers recommend that stroke prevention programs should address modifiable risk factors such as systolic blood pressure. "Healthcare systems and providers must educate and urge their patients to do home blood pressure monitoring, and insurers must pay for home blood pressure monitors to optimize people's blood pressure and reduce their chances of having a stroke," Levine added.

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