Health: Understanding what hypertension is and it risk factor

Understanding of Hypertension

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This is a medical condition defined as a sustained increase in systolic blood pressure that is equal to or greater than 140mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure that is equal to or greater than 90mmHg taken on two or more occasions, 4-6 hours apart.

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There are approximately one billion people worldwide with hypertension and its prevalence increases with age.

Hypertension could be:

• Primary or Essential hypertension: This occurs in 90-95% of cases and there is no identifiable cause.
• Secondary hypertension: This may be caused by another disease such as chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus etc or medication.
• Pregnancy induced hypertension

Factors that are very risky for hypertension development:

Non-modifiable risk factors such as a family history of hypertension, advancing age, black race.

Modifiable risk factors include-

• High intake of sodium/salt
• Sedentary lifestyle/inactivity
• Overweight/Obesity
• Alcohol consumption
• Smoking/Tobacco use
• Chronic/ poorly managed stress

Symptoms: Hypertension is referred to as the 'Silent Killer' because it is often asymptomatic and only discovered on routine blood pressure check.
When symptomatic, the patient may present with headache, dizziness, blurred vision,chest pain, shortness of breathe, nausea and vomiting etc

Complications:
Hypertension could damage the heart and blood vessels causing arteriosclerosis, coronary artery disease, hypertensive heart disease, heart failure etc. It could affect the brain to cause stroke. The kidneys could be damaged-hypertensive nephropathy. The eyes could be damaged-hypertensive retinopathy In pregnancy, it could retard the growth of the unborn baby. It could cause more serious complications such as pre eclampsia/ eclampsia that may lead to maternal and/or fetal morbidity/mortality if not treated.

Prevention:

• Healthy low salt diet. Avoid or reduce processed and fatty foods
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Regular physical exercise
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Reduce stress as much as possible
• Regular Blood Pressure check.

If you are hypertensive or have symptoms suggesting hypertension, consult a physician and do not patronize quacks. Above all, trust God for healing.

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