Fact 3. Hypertension: The Invisible Puppeteer in Chronic SVD
The correlation between chronic SVD and hypertension is akin to an intricate dance, where hypertension leads, and chronic SVD inevitably follows. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, puts undue stress on the small blood vessels in the brain. Over time, this continuous strain can result in damage, paving the path for chronic SVD.
High blood pressure is often dubbed the “silent killer” for good reason. Its symptoms are rarely noticeable, yet the damage it inflicts can be devastating. When this silent affliction targets the brain’s microvasculature, the effects often culminate in chronic SVD.
Imagine a city under siege. The incessant bombardment weakens its walls, gradually leading to their collapse. In a similar vein, hypertension continually bombards the small blood vessels in the brain. The result? An increased likelihood of chronic SVD.
Yet, hypertension’s role as a risk factor for chronic SVD doesn’t equate to a direct cause-effect relationship. Not everyone with hypertension will develop chronic SVD, and likewise, not all chronic SVD cases stem from hypertension. It’s a complex interplay of multiple factors, with hypertension being a significant player.(3)
