The human body needs everything to work in harmony in order to function properly, just like the gears in a machine! If something isn’t working as it should, the rest of the body suffers consequences and can hinder the proper functioning of other processes. That’s exactly what happens with high blood pressure: when uncontrolled, it puts extra strain on the heart and the distribution of blood throughout the body. This is a well-known and feared disease, but after all, what is it and what causes high blood pressure?

What is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure, or systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) as it is named in medicine, is a chronic disease characterized by increased blood pressure levels, identified by the abbreviation BP. It is recognized by its benchmarks after measurement of values equal to or greater than 140/90mmHg (14 x 9).

As the heart beats, its contractions pump blood through the body’s arteries. This function generates pressure on the arteries, called systolic blood pressure. When this blood pressure is altered, overworking the heart, it is known as high blood pressure. This pressure can cause serious harm to a person’s life, including the occurrence of a stroke (cerebrovascular accident), heart attack, kidney disease, and even muscle atrophy of the heart, which can cause cardiac arrhythmia.

Main Causes of High Blood Pressure

It’s important to remember that our body can experience blood pressure changes considered natural, such as during and right after physical activity, but these usually stabilize and normalize naturally at rest. However, when the body can’t recover and blood pressure remains constantly high, it’s possible the person is suffering from hypertension.

The cause of high blood pressure is related to several factors, which is why a specific evaluation of each case is needed, investigating the root cause thoroughly to determine the appropriate treatment. Among the main causes are:

  • Family history;
  • Diet high in salt;
  • Sedentary lifestyle;
  • Obesity;
  • Older age;
  • Excessive alcohol and cigarette consumption.

Based on the causes listed above, we can affirm that the cause of high blood pressure goes far beyond an unexpected disease with no means of prevention, since lifestyle greatly influences the onset of the disease.

Complications of High Blood Pressure

Many people around the world suffer from high blood pressure and don’t even know they have it, nor do they realize the risks they are facing. That’s because high blood pressure is a silent disease and only causes symptoms when it is at an advanced stage and already harming the body as a whole. In addition, there are hypertensive patients who are aware of the disease but continue to neglect it, only becoming concerned when the condition worsens or complications arise. Among the most serious complications are:

  • Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident);
  • Myocardial infarction (heart attack);
  • Chronic kidney disease;
  • Sexual impotence;
  • Vision changes;

Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident)

Stroke, popularly known as a “stroke,” can occur in two forms: ischemic and hemorrhagic, both resulting from various factors such as embolism, thrombosis, and especially affecting people with high blood pressure. In fact, a stroke occurs in about 80% of people with hypertension. The severity of a stroke can vary, and it can leave such serious aftereffects that, in some cases, they are irreversible.

Myocardial Infarction

A myocardial infarction is the name given to the death of part of the heart muscle, caused by a lack of blood flow—responsible for carrying oxygen and nutrients—to the heart. When it happens, it is usually the result of many years of neglect, with cholesterol plaques building up on the heart’s vessels. If you feel symptoms such as severe chest pain, sweating, nausea, or a sense of impending death, seek emergency care immediately. If not treated in time, the risks of a myocardial infarction are fatal.

Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease is the slow and progressive reduction of the kidneys’ ability to filter waste from the blood, a process that may take months or years. Its main causes include diabetes and high blood pressure, and treatment is highly restrictive, limiting fluid, sodium, and potassium intake, in addition to medications for control. In severe cases, dialysis or a kidney transplant may be necessary.

Sexual Impotence

Sexual impotence or erectile dysfunction, as doctors call it, is a common complication for hypertensive patients who do not take proper care of themselves. This happens because maintaining a penile erection requires a healthy blood supply to the area, without any disturbances. High blood pressure affects blood flow, preventing blood from reaching the penis adequately, resulting in sexual impotence. Once the condition has worsened, unfortunately there is no reversal treatment, so the best approach is to manage hypertension carefully to prevent it from worsening and causing complications like this.

Vision Changes

When blood pressure spikes suddenly, causing a hypertensive crisis, it’s common for patients to experience blurred or altered vision, which happens due to swelling of the optic nerve. If the condition worsens, it increases the risk of rupture or blockage of the blood vessels in the retina, which can cause irreversible vision loss.

Treatment for High Blood Pressure

If you are at risk, don’t wait for symptoms to seek medical help. Visit your doctor regularly to check your blood pressure, and choose a healthy lifestyle with an appropriate diet and regular physical exercise. Even if you have a high hereditary risk of developing the disease, with specific care it is possible to delay its onset.

Reduce salt when preparing food, opt for vegetables, legumes, and fruits, and avoid fried foods, processed goods, cold cuts, and canned foods that are high in sodium. Include whole grains in your menu and avoid alcohol and cigarettes, as they make hypertension worse. Maintain a calm routine, stay away from stress, enjoy good sleep quality, and avoid a sedentary lifestyle. Follow all medical instructions, including taking medications and respecting the prescribed doses.

Hypertension treatment does not end once blood pressure is stabilized—the treatment must be lifelong to prevent the problem from returning silently and causing irreversible health damage. Don’t forget: neglecting to care for and treat the disease can be fatal!

See also: Selenium

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