Why is it important to know about Hypertension?
Hypertension, silent killer commonly known as high blood pressure, stands as a significant concern affecting millions of people worldwide. Despite its prevalence, many individuals lack awareness about this silent killer.
What is Hypertension?
Although Hypertension refers to a medical condition characterized by elevated blood pressure levels persistently exceeding the normal range.
Blood pressure is basically the force exerted by the blood against the walls of the arteries as it flows through them. It is measured using two values: systolic pressure (when the heart contracts) and diastolic pressure (when the heart relaxes). A blood pressure reading of 120/80 mmHg or lower is considered normal, while readings consistently above this range indicate hypertension.
Understanding the Symptoms
Hypertension is often referred to as the “silent killer” since it typically presents no visible symptoms in its early stages.
- headache
- dizziness
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
- visual disturbances
It is important to note that these symptoms are not specific to hypertension and can be indicative of other health issues as well. Therefore, regular blood pressure check-ups are essential for early detection and prevention of complications.
In this chart, the blood pressure stages are categorized as follows:
- Normal: Systolic pressure below 120 mmHg and diastolic pressure below 80 mmHg.
- Elevated: Systolic pressure ranging from 120-129 mmHg and diastolic pressure below 80 mmHg.
- Stage 1 Hypertension: Systolic pressure ranging from 130-139 mmHg or diastolic pressure ranging from 80-89 mmHg.
- Stage 2 Hypertension: Systolic pressure of 140 mmHg or higher, or diastolic pressure of 90 mmHg or higher.
- Hypertensive Crisis: Extremely high blood pressure exceeding 180 mmHg systolic and/or 120 mmHg diastolic.
What causes hypertension
- sedentary life style
- underlying health issues
- poor dietary habits (such as excessive salt intake and low fruit and vegetable consumption)
- obesity
- alcohol consumption
- smoking
- genetic predisposition
- age
- stress
- medical conditions (such as kidney disease, hormonal disorders, and sleep apnea)
Complications of Hypertension
- heart attack
- stroke
- heart failure
- kidney failure
- prolonged elevated blood pressure has impact on all vital organs
Prevention and Management
- Fortunately, hypertension is a condition that can be managed and prevented through proactive measures.
- Adopting a healthy lifestyle is the cornerstone of prevention and management.
- regular physical activity,
- maintaining a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, limiting sodium and
- avoid alcohol intake
- avoiding tobacco products
- managing stress levels.
- maintaining a healthy body weight and regularly monitoring blood pressure levels.
Collaboration with healthcare professionals is essential to develop an effective treatment plan tailored to an individual’s needs. This may involve medication to lower blood pressure, as well as regular check-ups to monitor progress and adjust the treatment as necessary.