Table 1 Possible mechanisms linking chronic hypertension to the risk of cerebrovascular disease

Oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction

Increased arterial stiffness

Renin-angiotensin system impairment

Cerebral small vessel disease (white matter lesions, lacunar infarcts, microbleeds)

• Blood–brain barrier damage and dysfunction

• Neuroinflammation

• Hypertension-induced vascular remodeling

Brain atrophy

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy