Hypertensive retinopathy: Incidence, risk factors, and comorbidities. issues/2013/nov-dec/current-concepts-in-hypertensive-retinopathy Current concepts in hypertensive retinopathy: The retinal physician is often the first to detect it. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. A 2008 study of 5,500 people between the ages of 25 and 74 showed both an increased risk of stroke or cardiovascular disease in those with HR. This was true even in people with blood pressure controlled by treatment. One 2013 study of 2,907 people between the ages of 50 and 73 found that those with HR were more likely to have a stroke than people without the condition.
People with HR are also at an increased risk of having a stroke or heart attack. This is a potentially life threatening condition. Malignant hypertension, which is a rare condition that causes blood pressure to increase suddenly, interfering with vision and causing sudden vision loss.Nerve fiber layer ischemia, or damage to the nerve fibers, which may lead to cotton-wool spots, or fluffy white lesions on the retina.Retinal vein occlusion, which occurs when the veins that carry blood away from the retina become blocked by blood clots.When this happens, the retina doesn’t get enough oxygen or blood. Retinal artery occlusion, which occurs when the arteries that carry blood to the retina become blocked by blood clots.The optic nerve carries images of what we see to the brain. Ischemic optic neuropathy, which occurs when high blood pressure blocks off normal blood flow in the eyes, damaging the optic nerve.People with HR are at risk of developing complications related to the retina. High-grade retinopathy tends to indicate serious blood pressure concerns.Ĭomplications of hypertensive retinopathy At grade 4, however, your optic nerve may begin to swell and cause more serious vision problems. On the lower end of the scale, you may not have any symptoms. People with grade 4 retinopathy have a higher risk for stroke and may have kidney or heart disease. Grade 4 has severe signs of grade 3, along with optic disc swelling called papilledema and macular edema.Grade 3 has the signs of grade 2, but there’s also retinal edema, microaneurysms, cotton-wool spots (fluffy white lesions on the retina), and retinal hemorrhages (bleeding).This is called arteriovenous, or AV, nicking. Grade 2 is similar to grade 1, but there are more severe or tighter constrictions of the retinal artery.In grade 1, there’s a mild narrowing of the retinal artery.The scale is called the Keith-Wagener-Barker Classification System. The extent and severity of the retinopathy is generally represented on a scale of 1 to 4.
It’s called a “silent killer” because it usually has no symptoms.Ĭlassification of hypertensive retinopathy picks According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the condition affects 1 in 3 adults in the United States. In the United States, high blood pressure is fairly common. High blood pressure also runs in families. Your blood pressure levels can be affected by: HR generally occurs after your blood pressure has been consistently high over a prolonged period.
When the blood moves through the body at a higher pressure, the tissue that makes up the arteries will begin to stretch and eventually become damaged. The force is a result of the blood pumping out of the heart and into the arteries, as well as the force created as the heart rests between heartbeats. High blood pressure is a chronic problem in which the force of the blood against your arteries is too high. Prolonged high blood pressure, or hypertension, is the main cause of HR.
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