Darrick Robles The higher the age, the more likely the diagnosis is high blood pressure. But not only older people are affected by the widespread disease. According to studies, 50% of adults suffer from high blood pressure. The disease is often first noticed when visiting a doctor’s office. <br> High blood pressure should be taken seriously and treated with medical attention as it is a risk factor for various secondary diseases. You too can make a significant contribution to your heart health and avoid the serious consequences of high blood pressure.
Definition of high blood pressure
Blood pressure is the pressure at which the heart pumps blood around the body. If this exceeds a certain value (140/90 mmHg) one speaks of high blood pressure or arterial hypertension. If this persists over a long period of time, this leads to damage to the vessels and an increase in the cardiovascular (= related to the cardiovascular system) risk.
Causes of high blood pressure
There are a number of known risk factors that can lead to high blood pressure:
- Smoking
- obesity
- Excessive consumption of alcohol, caffeine and salt
- Diabetes Mellitus
- medication
- drug consumption
Genetic factors are also known to increase the risk of high blood pressure. In addition, old age and psychological stress play an important role in the development of the disease.
High blood pressure can also be the result of another underlying medical condition. For example, sleep apnea syndrome can be a risk factor. With this disease, patients suffer from short breathing pauses during sleep, which causes them to wake up again and again. You wake up with a fast heartbeat or sweaty, don’t get enough sleep in the morning and suffer from daytime tiredness and microsleep. Any kidney disease as well as various hormonal diseases can also lead to increased blood pressure.
Incidentally, the candy liquorice also has a blood pressure-increasing effect: by impeding the fluid balance in the body, arterial blood pressure increases. In fact, however, large amounts (100 grams per day) of the bittersweet delicacy must be eaten in order to unfold the blood pressure-increasing effect.
high blood pressure symptoms
Since the disease often progresses without symptoms, high blood pressure is often only noticed during a doctor’s visit.
However , some patients experience symptoms such as headaches , ringing in the ears and dizziness . In addition, those affected complain of palpitations and chest pains . Raised blood pressure can sometimes cause nosebleeds . Sleep disorders can be the cause and consequence of high blood pressure.
Diagnosis and medical consultation for high blood pressure
The aim of the diagnosis is to find out the cause of the high blood pressure. Is there an underlying disease that promotes high blood pressure? It is also important to detect and change risk factors for the disease.
First, the doctor will ask you a few questions before doing a physical exam and taking your blood pressure. As soon as elevated blood pressure values can be determined, a 24-hour blood pressure measurement is carried out. This allows the doctor to identify the cause(s) and determine the severity of the disease.
In addition, a laboratory test of the blood should be sought, for example to detect increased blood sugar or increased blood lipid levels. A urine test should also be performed.
Young people are recommended to be tested for high blood pressure every five years from the age of 18. In this way, the disease can be detected and consequential damage avoided.
Apropos: Did you know that there is a so-called white coat high blood pressure? Studies have shown that some patients experience elevated pressures only when visiting a doctor’s office. This can also be determined by a longer blood pressure measurement in the home environment and usually does not require any therapy.
hypertension treatment
Treatment aims to bring blood pressure down to normal levels, thereby minimizing cardiovascular risk.
First, a lifestyle change should be made with more physical activity, weight loss and diet adjustment to a low-salt diet.
Experts like to recommend the so-called “Mediterranean Diet” :
- Lots of fruit, vegetables and salad
- Little animal fat, little red meat
- Lots of fish
- Lots of nuts
- olive oil
- whole grain products
Alcohol and cigarettes should be avoided entirely if possible.
Patients are advised to continue to measure their own blood pressure regularly. In this way, the success of the therapeutic measures can be easily understood.
If the lifestyle change is not sufficient, drug blood pressure control can be tried. Various preparations are available for this purpose, which can be selected depending on the patient and concomitant diseases. It is also possible to combine different agents in order to achieve better effectiveness.
Complications of hypertension
Elevated blood pressure causes long-term damage to the blood vessels and can lead to various consequential damage:
- Heart: Increased pressure leads to heart failure and coronary artery disease, which in turn can lead to a heart attack.
- Brain: There is a risk of stroke and the development of vascular dementia.
- Eye: Hypertensive retinopathy can lead to blindness in the long term.
- Kidneys: Elevated blood pressure causes the kidneys to shrink, even leading to renal insufficiency.
- Vascular system: The small and large vessels can be affected by bulges and stenoses. It is not uncommon for aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection and carotid stenosis to be associated with high blood pressure.
hypertensive crisis
If the systolic blood pressure rises above 180, this is called a hypertensive crisis. In this case, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible, as serious complications such as cerebral hemorrhage can follow.
high blood pressure during pregnancy
Women can develop hypertension during their pregnancy. This is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth and underweight newborns. Since the disease can have serious consequences for both the mother and the unborn child, it requires treatment by a specialist.
Expectant mothers are recommended to regularly attend check-up appointments with their gynaecologist. During the examinations, blood pressure is measured, so that pregnancy hypertension can be identified and treated quickly.
How can Med-Healths help?
Are you suffering from the above symptoms and not sure what it is? Via our Med-Healths app you can reach doctors who can help you with the diagnosis and severity of the disease. They can advise you and give you good tips to change your lifestyle. In addition, they can recommend experts for further treatment and refer you to them.
Danger! If your blood pressure is very high and you have symptoms, you should call an ambulance!
