Hypertension

Hypertension: The sleeping beast inside us

Hypertension is a major Global concern today as it increases the risk of heart diseases, stroke and death. Around 7.5 million deaths or 12.8% of the total of all annual deaths worldwide occur due to high blood pressure. It is predicted to be increased to 1.56 billion adults with hypertension in 2025.  
What will be the reason for this? According to the WHO, the growth of the processed food industry has impacted the amount of salt in diets worldwide, and that this plays a role in hypertension.

What is Hypertension?

It is defined as the temporary or sudden rise of blood pressure in the arteries, which are the vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
It is a silent killer as very rarely any symptoms can be seen in its early stages until a severe medical emergency takes place like heart attack, stroke, or chronic kidney disease.
The normal blood pressure is 120 over 80 mmHg (here, 120 represents the maximum (systolic) measurement and 80 represents the minimum (diastolic), whereas hypertension is higher than 140 over 90 mmHg. The range between 130 to 139 mmHg and 80 to 89 mmHg is called as ‘prehypertension'.

Types of Hypertension

There are two types of high blood pressure. One is primary hypertension or essential hypertension and the other one is secondary hypertension.

1. Primary hypertension:
The high blood pressure that doesn't have a known secondary cause is called primary hypertension and it is assumed that genetic factors influence essential hypertension.
Major risk factors:

• Diet
• Stress
• Minimal physical exercise
• Overweight

Most people notice their blood pressure variations during the regular medical checkups as they are not aware of the symptoms that commence during the middle ages.

This is where Kalpavriksham Trust extends its services to another level.  They are not only a well-equipped center for all kinds of health check-up services but also they make proper follow-ups to ensure the well being of the patient. Along with this, they provide awareness to the public as a part of their social obligation.

Treatments:

There is no particular cure for essential hypertension. But there are treatments that help to reduce the level of hypertension.

Lifestyle changes:

If you have high blood pressure your doctor will suggest several lifestyle changes like,

• Physical exercise for at least half an hour.
• Reduce your excess weight.
• Quit smoking and reduce alcohol.
• Reduce stress levels.
• Maintain potassium and fiber-rich meals.

If these changes do not reduce your blood pressure levels, the doctor might suggest other medications.

Medications:

• Beta-blockers.
• Calcium channel blockers
• Diuretic
• Angiotensin-converting enzymes inhibitors
• Renin-inhibitors

2. Secondary hypertension:
Secondary hypertension is high blood pressure caused by other medical conditions that affect the kidneys, arteries, heart, and endocrine system. This can also occur during pregnancy.

Causes:

• Polycystic kidney disease
• Glomerular disease
• Renovascular hypertension
• Pregnancy
• Medications and supplements
• Medical conditions affecting hormone levels may also cause secondary hypertension.

Major risk factors:

If the patient doesn't receive treatment on time, it will result in other medical conditions, such as:

• Damage to your arteries.
• Aneurysm (weakening or bulging of blood vessels)
• Heart failure
• The weakening of blood vessels in the kidney
• Thickening or torn blood vessels in eyes
• Metabolic syndrome
• Trouble with memory
• Trouble with understanding

Treatments:

• For the treatments doctor will encounter the cause of hypertension and try to correct it. The problems include adrenal gland disorders, kidney disease, sleep apnea, etc.
• Surgery for the narrowed arteries that are the causes of high blood pressure.
• Your doctor may choose to treat you with antihypertensive drug therapy, in addition to addressing the underlying health issues.
• If you have secondary hypertension that is caused by a drug, your doctor may suggest that you stop taking or decrease the dose of the drug.