In the medical community, hypertension has long been regarded as a hidden health threat, which silently erodes the health of the body's blood vessels. And in this silent struggle, an often overlooked signal, an anomalous change in the finger, could be a warning sign of a larger crisis. Just as a meandering river gradually changes the shape of its bed over the years, the effects of long-term high blood pressure on blood vessels may also leave unique marks on the fingers. These changes, although small, may be a hidden sign of an impending cerebral infarction.
When it comes to the link between high blood pressure and cerebral infarction, it is first necessary to understand how high blood pressure affects the human body. Long-term high blood pressure can lead to an increase in the thickness of the blood vessel walls, which gradually become narrowed and blood flow is blocked. This condition is especially severe in the tiny blood vessels of the brain, which are particularly sensitive to pressure changes. When the blood vessels in the brain are subjected to continuous high pressure, they may be damaged or blocked, which is the mechanism by which cerebral infarction occurs.
Cerebral infarction, also known as stroke, is a disease caused by poor blood flow to the brain. Under the influence of high blood pressure, cerebral blood vessels may rupture or form blood clots, which can lead to ischemia of brain tissue. If the ischemic brain cells do not receive adequate oxygen and nutrients for a long time, they will be quickly damaged or even die. This is why high blood pressure is considered an important risk factor for cerebral infarction.
Under the influence of high blood pressure, the color change of the fingers may be an early sign of concern. As blood pressure continues to rise, the tiny blood vessels at the tips of the fingers may become compressed, making blood flow poor. This can lead to a pale or bluish appearance of the fingers, medically known as "Raynaud's phenomenon". Raynaud's phenomenon is not just a color change, it reflects an abnormality in the circulatory system.
In addition, the change in the color of the fingers can also be caused by a decrease in the amount of oxygen in the blood。Normally, oxygen-rich blood gives ** a normal rosy color. However, under the influence of high blood pressure, if the blood** is restricted, the color of the fingers may change.
Another finger abnormality associated with high blood pressure is swelling and pain。This may be due to an inflammatory response in the blood vessels caused by excessive pressure in the blood vessels, which can cause edema in the surrounding tissues. Swelling of the fingers not only interferes with daily activities, but can also be a warning sign of circulation problems.
In some cases, the swelling is accompanied by pain or tingling in the fingers, which may be the result of poor circulation leading to compression of peripheral nerves. If this condition is left untreated for a long time, it may further affect the function of the hand and even the health of the entire circulatory system.
The third finger abnormality that high blood pressure may cause is a change in the shape of the fingertip. This usually manifests as hypertrophy of the fingertips, medically known as "drumstick fingers". Drumstick finger is a condition in which the fingertips are enlarged and the nails are crooked, often associated with a chronic hypoxic state. Although drumstick finger may be associated with a variety of diseases, it can be a sign of circulatory disorders in hypertensive patients**.
The formation of drumstick fingers may be associated with a decrease in the amount of oxygen in the blood, and a prolonged state of hypoxia stimulates the growth of tissue at the fingertips。Therefore, when such changes in the fingers are observed, one should be alert to potential circulatory problems.