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Hypertension affects more than one in four adults. The brain is an early target of hypertension-induced organ damage, and may manifest as stroke, subclinical cerebrovascular abnormalities and dementia. Hypertension-related small vessel disease can cause vascular dementia and can potentiate Alzheimer's pathology, lowering the threshold at which signs and symptoms manifest. Many hypertensive emergencies may also have a neurological presentation, such as hypertensive encephalopathy, haemorrhagic stroke or pre-eclampsia. Here we highlight the importance of blood pressure in maintaining brain health and the brain's role in controlling blood pressure.

Original publication

DOI

10.1136/practneurol-2019-002269

Type

Journal article

Journal

Pract Neurol

Publication Date

26/09/2019

Keywords

dementia, hypertension, hypertensive encepha, sleep apnoea, stroke