Blood pressure variability (BPV) refers to short-term or long-term fluctuations in blood pressure levels over time. These fluctuations can happen within short breaks (minute-to-minute variability), within 24 hours (daily variability), or over longer intervals (long-term variability). Various factors like autonomic nervous function, abnormal breathing, body position, behavior and body temperature can lead to short-term fluctuations. However, some degree of BPV is considered as normal but excessive variability has been linked with several cardiovascular conditions, including ischemic stroke. Moreover, repeated rise in blood pressure may cause hemorrhagic transformation whereas repeated fall in blood pressure may worsen ischemia.
Linkage between blood pressure variability and ischemic stroke
An Ischemic stroke occurs when there is some kind of blockage that prevents blood from reaching all areas of your brain leading to reduced blood flow and oxygen deprivation. If not given proper medical attention, it can cause permanent brain damage or even death. Excessive fluctuations in blood pressure can damage the inner lining of blood vessels leading to the formation of plaques within the arteries which further increases the risk of ischemic stroke by blocking the blood vessels. Additionally, blood pressure variability can also affect small blood vessels in the brain, resulting in microvascular damage which increases the susceptibility of brain tissue to ischemia.
Symptoms of ischemic stroke
The symptoms of an ischemic stroke can vary depending on the location and extent of the blockage. Few common symptoms include:
One-sided weakness: A person suffering from ischemic stroke may face weakness or numbness on one side of the body, generally affecting the face, arm, or leg. This mostly occurs on the same side of the body as the affected part of the brain.
Aphasia: It refers to the difficulty in speaking and understanding the speech. People with ischemic stroke sometimes find it difficult to find the right words to express themselves.
Vision problems: Sudden vision changes, like: blurred or double vision, loss of vision in one or both eyes are quite common symptoms in ischemic stroke.
Headache: Severe and unbearable headaches can occur if the person is suffering from subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Loss of balance: Few people face dizziness and postural instability during a stroke which can make it difficult for them to walk or even balance the body.
Through lifestyle modifications, few medications and targeted interventions like endovascular mechanical thrombectomy (a surgical procedure to remove blood clots from brain), we can manage ischemic stroke and its symptoms.
(Dr. Apurva Sharma, is a Consultant – Neurology, at Manipal Hospital.)
