Are you ignoring high blood pressure until a stroke strikes without warning?
Or watching daily habits slowly damage your heart and brain?
Now is the time to take control with a clear insight into managing blood pressure and reducing stroke risk.
Treatment approaches for high blood pressure and stroke
Home >> Doctor >> Dr. Jose C. Navarro
Dr. Tony Leachon warns that uncontrolled high blood pressure remains one of the leading causes of stroke among Filipinos.
Is there a research-backed approach that may help manage blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke before serious complications occur?
🧠 1. Stroke Is a Leading Cause of Death and Disability
Heart attacks are a leading cause of stroke.
“The Deadly Danger of Stroke Caused by Blocked Brain Blood Vessels”
* In the Philippines, stroke has become a major health concern among middle-aged adults, with many deaths occurring between ages 40 and 65+, mostly caused by blocked brain blood vessels (ischemic stroke).
After heart attack, stroke is the second leading cause of death in the Philippines. It is the number one cause of disability, points out the Stroke Society of the Philippines and the Department of Health.
Stroke can cause facial drooping, paralysis on one side of the body, and difficulty in daily activities
Rehabilitation after a stroke in older adults is often challenging
Deaths caused by blocked brain arteries are steadily increasing among older adults.
Philippine stroke mortality 2010–2020 (by National Library of Medicine)
Tiến sĩ Christian Emmanuel T. Lim
written by Henrylito Tacio February 10, 2026 0 comments
Warning: Blocked Brain Blood Vessels Are a Silent Cause of Stroke in Middle Age — How Can You Prevent It Effectively?
Many adults ignore the early warning signs of stroke until it becomes a serious emergency.
Strokes strike anyone, anywhere, anytime. The World Stroke Organization said a person suffers from a stroke every two seconds and one dies from it every six seconds. It’s deadlier than Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, tuberculosis and malaria combined, health officials claimed.
Ongoing headaches and prolonged stress may elevate blood pressure, making stroke more likely.
The hemorrhagic type is less common and it happens when the artery in the brain bursts causing blood to leak inside the brain. “This type is usually precipitated by high blood pressure,” says Dr. Willie T. Ong, an active consultant in cardiology at the Manila Doctors Hospital and Makati Medical Center. “If the bleeding does not stop, this can result in death.”
About 20% of strokes are hemorrhagic. The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, based in Minnesota, says one cause of hemorrhagic stroke is an aneurysm, which caused the death of martial arts icon Bruce Lee, American comedian John Ritter, and Filipina actress Isabel Granada. This “ballooning” from a weak sport in a blood vessel wall develops with advancing age. Some aneurysms may also form as a result of a genetic predisposition.
The Late Filipina Actress Isabel Granada — Passed Away Due to Stroke
Blocked Cerebral Arteries – The Leading Cause of Stroke.
Common Causes of Stroke in the Elderly
Understanding the different types of cerebral vascular occlusion is essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Each type has its own causes, symptoms, and management strategies. This knowledge plays a crucial role in effective disease control and prevention of complications.
Ischemic Stroke
Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked. It is the leading cause of death and long-term disability related to stroke. The blockage may result from a blood clot that forms within the blood vessel or from a clot that travels from another part of the body.
Thrombotic stroke is caused by a blood clot that forms directly within a cerebral artery.
Embolic stroke occurs when a clot forms elsewhere in the body and travels through the bloodstream to the brain.
Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked. It is the leading cause of death and long-term disability related to stroke. The blockage may result from a blood clot that forms within the blood vessel or from a clot that travels from another part of the body.
- Thrombotic stroke is caused by a blood clot that forms directly within a cerebral artery
- Embolic stroke occurs when a clot forms elsewhere in the body and travels through the bloodstream to the brain
Cerebral Venous Thrombosis
Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) refers to the formation of a blood clot in the brain’s venous sinuses. This condition can increase intracranial pressure, leading to headaches and neurological symptoms. Risk factors may include inherited blood clotting disorders, dehydration, and the use of certain medications.
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
A transient ischemic attack (TIA), often called a “mini-stroke,” is a temporary neurological dysfunction caused by reduced blood flow to the brain or retina without resulting in permanent infarction. A TIA is a warning sign of a higher risk of a major stroke and requires immediate medical attention.
- Symptoms of a TIA are similar to those of a stroke but typically last less than 24 hours.
- Prompt evaluation and treatment can significantly reduce the risk of a future stroke.
In the Philippines, stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and severe long-term complications. It ranks third among the top causes of mortality, following other major cardiovascular diseases.
💸 2. Massive Financial Burden on Patients and Families
The cost of stroke treatment in the Philippines is extremely high — potentially reaching millions of pesos for emergency care, hospitalization, and post-discharge rehabilitation. Long-term recovery expenses also place a heavy financial burden on patients and their families.
🧠 3. Severe Consequences of Stroke Caused by Blocked Brain Blood Vessels
When a brain blood vessel becomes blocked (ischemic stroke), the brain is rapidly deprived of oxygen and essential nutrients. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die, leading to serious long-term complications such as:
- Partial or complete paralysis
- Loss of speech or language impairment
- Cognitive decline and memory loss
- Difficulty eating or swallowing
👉 These complications profoundly affect daily functioning and overall quality of life.
The family was devastated by huge medical costs due to a blocked brain artery stroke.
🧠 4. Stroke Causes Not Only Physical Disability but Also Cognitive and Emotional Disorders
Brain damage after a stroke can significantly impair thinking and emotional stability, leading to:
- Dementia
- Emotional instability
- Depression and anxiety
- Reduced concentration and memory
👉 These effects can be long-lasting and are often difficult to fully recover from.
1. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
High blood pressure is one of the most important risk factors for stroke in older adults.
Statistics show that many people who experience a stroke already have a history of hypertension.
This condition can suddenly disrupt the normal blood flow to the brain, which may lead to a stroke.
Diabetes can increase inflammation in the blood vessels, causing them to become damaged, narrowed, or even rupture.
As a result, the risk of stroke increases. However, this risk can be reduced if blood sugar levels are properly controlled.
Atrial fibrillation is a type of irregular heart rhythm that can increase the risk of stroke up to five times higher than normal.
People with this condition should seek medical care and manage it properly. For example, doctors may prescribe blood-thinning medications to prevent blood clots from traveling to the brain and causing a stroke.
Smoking has a significant negative impact on overall health and is linked to many diseases such as lung cancer, throat cancer, and chronic bronchitis.
Nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke can also damage the cardiovascular system, increase blood pressure, and raise the risk of stroke.
Age is one of the uncontrollable risk factors for stroke.
More than 70% of stroke cases occur in people over the age of 65. For this reason, older adults are encouraged to have regular health check-ups and stroke screenings to monitor their health and detect potential problems early.
According to a recent study in Vietnam, men are about 1.5 times more likely to experience a stroke than women.
In general, vascular diseases are more common in men and are considered one of the main reasons behind the increased risk of stroke. Therefore, men should be particularly cautious about this risk.
Stroke in older adults may also be influenced by genetic factors.
Even with preventive measures, some people may still develop conditions that increase stroke risk, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
A family history of stroke can also increase the risk, especially if a close relative experienced a stroke before the age of 65.
Stroke caused by blocked cerebral arteries (ischemic stroke) among older adults has remained a major public health concern in the Philippines over the past decade. Mortality rates have stayed high, with an average of about 63,804 stroke-related deaths recorded each year. In 2021, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual number of stroke deaths in the Philippines reached 68,180, increasing from 64,381 in 2020. However, these figures based on death certificates may underestimate the true burden, as around 34% of Filipinos die without receiving medical care. Additionally, nearly 50% of the population does not have access to primary health care facilities within 30 minutes. Among older adults, uncontrolled risk factors such as hypertension, low awareness of stroke symptoms, delays in reaching hospitals, high out-of-pocket medical costs, overcrowded public hospitals, limited CT scanner availability, and insufficient stroke training among medical staff may all contribute to the persistently high mortality rate from ischemic stroke caused by blocked cerebral arteries.
A blocked brain blood vessel (ischemic stroke) is the most common type, occurring when a clot or narrowed artery prevents blood from flowing to the brain. About 80 percent of strokes are caused by blocked arteries. When the blood supply is interrupted, brain cells do not receive enough oxygen and glucose carried by the blood, leading to cell damage and death.
A ruptured brain blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke) occurs when a weakened blood vessel breaks and bleeds into or around the brain, causing pressure and further injury to brain tissue.
🔴 Artery Plaque Buildup
As people get older, cholesterol and fat can slowly build up along the inner walls of the arteries.
Over time, this buildup narrows the blood vessels and reduces blood flow to the brain.
👉 This is a common cause of blocked brain arteries in many adults.
🔴 Ruptured Brain Blood Vessel
With long-term pressure on the blood vessels, the artery wall may become weaker over time.
If it suddenly ruptures, blood can leak into the brain and damage surrounding tissue.
👉 This condition is known as a hemorrhagic stroke, often linked to long-term high blood pressure.
🔴 Blood Clot
Changes in blood circulation and vessel health over time can increase the chance of a clot forming inside the artery.
The clot may partially or completely block blood flow to the brain.
👉 Without oxygen and nutrients, brain cells can begin to die, leading to an ischemic stroke.