Hypertension or high blood pressure is a serious condition that can lead to many health problems. Hypertension is also called as “the silent killer” because it has no symptoms until complications arrive. The risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality rate is directly related to blood pressure.
DEFINITION
IT is also known as high blood pressure (HBP). Elevated blood pressure more than 140 over 90 mmHg. (systolic pressure more than 140 or a diastolic pressure below 90)
Normal blood pressure is 120/80 mm of Hg
An estimated 1.13 billion people worldwide have HBP.
TYPES OF HYPERTENSION/types of HBP
There are three types of HBPs. Primary or essential hypertension is a condition that has no known cause. More than 90% of peoples with hypertension have essential hypertension. This type of hypertension cannot be cured but it can be controlled by medications and lifestyle modifications. When the hypertension is caused by other conditions or diseases it is called secondary hypertension. Around 10% of patients have secondary hypertension.
PHYSIOLOGICAL VARIATIONS
- Age: hypertension more in adults than children.
- Sex: hypertension more in males than females.
- Pregnancy: blood pressure usually increases during the last stage of pregnancy.
- Altitude: Blood Pressure is higher in people living at higher altitude.
- Exercise: BP increases during exercise.
- Emotion: BP increases in emotional expressions.
- Sleep: BP falls during sleep.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HYPERTENSION
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Chest pain
- Vision problems
- Breathing difficulty
- Irregular heartbeat
What causes Hypertension?
- The exact cause is Unknown
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Reduced physical activity
- Too much salt intake
- Stress
- Elderly
- Genetic factors
- Family history of hypertension
- Absence of sleep
- Thyroid problems
- Chronic kidney diseases
- Adrenal diseases
MANAGEMENT
- Regular exercises
- Limit the use of alcohol consumption
- Avoid smoking
- Low salt intake
- Eat a healthy well-balanced diet
- Reduce weight
COMPLICATIONS
The increased pressure on your artery walls caused by high blood pressure can damage blood vessels and organs of the body. Uncontrolled blood pressure can lead to;
- Heart attack or Stroke
- Heart failure
- Kidney problems
- Memory problems
- Dementia (impairment in memory, communication, thinking)
- Aneurysm (abnormal bulge in the wall of an artery that can burst)
- Hypertensive retinopathy can lead to blindness.
Conclusion
Be relax. Be live Healthy.
More health-related details check the WHO website
Writer: Treesa Sijo, Medical professional
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