Final answer:
Severe hypertension significantly increases the risk of hemorrhagic stroke, a type of brain hemorrhage, while the relationship between Alzheimer's disease and brain hemorrhage is less clear but under investigation. Stroke risk factors also include old age and lifestyle-related conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol. Keeping blood pressure within the normal range is essential to reduce the risk of stroke.
Step-by-step explanation:
Severe hypertension is a well-recognized risk factor for hemorrhagic stroke, which is a type of brain hemorrhage that occurs due to rupture of a blood vessel in the brain. This can lead to an accumulation of blood, increased pressure, and eventually edema in the brain tissue, potentially resulting in the loss of brain function. As for the link between Alzheimer's disease and brain hemorrhage, while Alzheimer's is primarily associated with neurodegenerative changes, there is ongoing research investigating the relationship between cerebrovascular alterations and Alzheimer's pathology.
Regarding stroke risk factors, besides high blood pressure, other significant ones include old age, having a previous stroke, diabetes, high cholesterol, and smoking. Measures to maintain low blood pressure are critical in reducing the risk of stroke. Moreover, certain drugs, such as amphetamines or cocaine, can also increase the risk of stroke. While only about 10% of strokes are hemorrhagic, they tend to have a higher fatality rate compared to ischemic strokes, which are caused by blockage rather than bleeding.