Target organ crisis: a vicious cycle of stroke risk and kidney dysfunction caused by hypertension.

Hypertension is the leading risk factor for stroke. A study of 257 stroke cases at a Beijing hospital showed that 196 cases (76.3%) had a history of hypertension. In most Western countries, hypertension is often combined with coronary heart disease. However, in China, it's more common for hypertension to be combined with stroke. Data shows that the risk of stroke from hypertension is five times higher than from myocardial infarction, and the risk of stroke from hypertension is six times higher than from normal blood pressure. Clearly, hypertension is the leading risk factor for stroke. Therefore, controlling hypertension is more important than getting a promotion, a raise, or even buying a lottery ticket!

① Why does hypertension cause stroke? This is because when blood pressure rises, the small arteries in the brain constrict. The degree of constriction of these arteries is closely related to the increase in blood pressure. Mild and short-lived increases in blood pressure do not cause serious brain damage (hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke).

② Sustained high blood pressure can cause cerebral hemorrhage and cerebral ischemia. For example, the inner tube of our bicycles, after being exposed to extreme heat and cold, will age over time. If an aged inner tube is inflated too quickly, the excessive pressure (high blood pressure) can cause it to burst (leading to cerebral hemorrhage). Similarly, the water pipes in our homes will accumulate limescale over time. When limescale adheres to the pipe walls, it narrows the pipe's lumen. If a piece of limescale breaks off and travels down the pipe, it can become stuck in a narrow spot, causing a blockage. High pressure (high blood pressure) can cause the pipe to rupture (bleeding). In the case of a blockage, water cannot flow (ischemia, leading to cerebral infarction). Stroke used to be a common and frequently occurring disease among the elderly.

However, in recent years, due to the trend of hypertension occurring at younger ages, the number of stroke cases in middle-aged people has also been increasing year by year. Therefore, stroke is no longer a disease exclusive to the elderly. Middle-aged and young people must not ignore elevated blood pressure and must prevent hypertension from triggering a stroke. This is because the brain is the body's "command center," issuing commands for all human activities. Problems with the "command center" will affect various bodily functions. At the same time, stroke is one of the three leading causes of death worldwide. Even if timely rescue saves a life, it can leave lifelong disabilities such as hemiplegia, aphasia, and blindness, bringing a double burden of economic and emotional strain to oneself and one's family. The trouble then becomes much greater! Hypertension also damages the kidneys. The relationship between the kidneys and hypertension is both close and complex. If hypertension is the cause of chronic kidney disease, then kidney disease is also a significant factor in inducing and maintaining systemic hypertension. It's like the main roads and branch roads in a city: congestion on the main roads affects the flow of traffic on the branch roads, and conversely, the smooth flow or congestion of the branch roads affects the smooth flow or congestion of the main roads.

This can create a vicious cycle, a phenomenon observed as early as 160 years ago, yet some questions remain unanswered. Therefore, controlling hypertension can protect the kidneys; and protecting the kidneys is a prerequisite for controlling hypertension. In the early stages of mild to moderate essential hypertension, the only manifestation is weakened kidney function. Mild to moderate renal arteriosclerosis can develop within 5-10 years. Approximately 7% of patients with essential hypertension may develop kidney failure due to a sudden, progressive increase in blood pressure. Note: The heart, brain, and kidneys are vital organs in the human body, and their normal functioning is an important indicator of health. High blood pressure acts like a troublemaker, specifically targeting these three organs; therefore, in medicine, the heart, brain, and kidneys are called the three "target organs" of high blood pressure. To protect these "target organs," high blood pressure must be controlled!