Andrew Russman, DO: Importance of Controlled Blood Pressure

“Intensive blood pressure management is a much better approach for long term reduction for stroke and other cardiovascular events.”

An increased rate of blood pressure can not only raise the risk of cardiovascular events but put patients in danger for other diseases caused by uncontrolled hypertension. Clinicians treating stroke, such as Andrew Russman, DO, medical director, Comprehensive Stroke Center, Cleveland Clinic, believe that 120 over 80 is the ideal blood pressure to avoid cardiovascular events such as stroke.

Patients have a tendency to shy away from being as aggressive to lower their blood pressure because of the adverse effects that may come with this practice—this overly aggressive effort can lead to complications such as ischemia buildup in the brain over time. Although, Russman believes the benefits of having lowered blood pressure outweigh the complications that come with it.

Additionally, high blood pressure comes with a slew of adverse effects on its own, leading to uncontrolled hypertension, which can cause additional strain on the heart, leaving organ damage and increasing the risk of other events such as renal disease, eye diseases, and brain diseases. In an interview with NeurologyLive, Russman discusses why keeping blood pressure at a lower, more normal level is beneficial, especially for the long-term future of patients.