stroke

[dochubert]

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what is the #1 risk factor for development of a stroke? Is it hypertension or smoking?

 

[Idiopathic]

Good question. It is hypertension. Cigarette smoking is the major preventable risk factor for stroke.

Also, the MC acute complication of hypertension is stroke, not MI (people seem to have trouble with that, but it makes sense).

 

[undecided05]

To be specific, the #1 risk factor for CVA is SYSTOLIC HTN.

 

[Idiopathic]

And whats the most common cause of systolic HTN 🙄

 

[undecided05]

A: Who knows?
That's why they call it Essential HTN...

 

[Idiopathic]

Diastolic HTN is the most common cause of systolic HTN

 

[undecided05]

and what's the most common cause of diastolic HTN?

 

[daisygirl]

and what's the most common cause of diastolic HTN?

Anything that increases vasoconstriction of the resistance vessels (arterioles) or decreases the capacitance of the elastic arteries (arteriosclerosis that occurs with aging).

I remember reading someplace (maybe BRS?) that hypertension is the most important risk factor for stroke before the age of 40. The most important risk factor for MI before the age of 40 was hyperlipidemia (particularly LDL), while hypertension was a more important risk factor for MI after the age of 40. I think that is right- but I'm still studying so take what I say with a grain of salt.

 

[Idiopathic]

and what's the most common cause of diastolic HTN?

essential.

So, to summarize, systolic HTN may be the most important risk factor for stroke, but you dont get systolic HTN without diastolic HTN.

If anyone asks, HTN is the most important risk factor for stroke, at all age levels, and the most important acute complication of HTN is stroke.

 

[undecided05]

Acutally, the thought about LDL being the most predictive factor for MI isn't quite true. Although that gets all the publicity b/c statins are so popular, it is the low HDL that is the most predictive of MI. That's also the reason why women s/p menopause begin to have increased risk of MI. The estrogen before hand was boosting thier HDL's.

Also for test purposes, Hormone Replacement Therapy does NOT reduce the risk of MI in women.

 

[undecided05]

and actually you can get isolated systolic HTN which should be treated even in the face of not having diastolic HTN.

 

[MustafaMond]

If anyone asks, HTN is the most important risk factor for stroke, at all age levels, and the most important acute complication of HTN is stroke.

I agree w/ the first statement, professor.
Unfortunately your second statement is wrong.

The most important acute complication of HTN is Cardiovascular Disease.

There are far more MI's than there are strokes.

 

[undecided05]

I think that he was probably referring to acute HTN (BP going from 120/80 to 240/130) rather than acute problems associated with HTN.

(Man I'm wasting way too much time on this websight... pathetic)