Let’s start this article with a cliché phrase, saying that “life is but a breath.” And we start this way to remind you of the importance of taking care of our health so that our lives can be lived in the best way possible and, of course, with quality. Some health issues end up being inevitable, but others can be avoided, and there are also those that may occur but can be controlled, providing a normal life, as is the case with hypertension.

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure as it is popularly known, is a chronic disease characterized by a constant increase in blood pressure within the arteries. This rise in pressure causes the heart to work harder than usual to ensure blood is properly distributed throughout the body. It is identified when systolic and diastolic blood pressure values are equal to or greater than 140/90 mmHg (14 x 9). The rise in blood pressure is one of the main risk factors for serious complications such as stroke (cerebrovascular accident), arterial aneurysm, heart attack, kidney and heart failure. That is why, when the patient receives a diagnosis of hypertension, it’s essential to strictly follow medical advice on lifestyle changes and appropriate treatment. Mortality rates from hypertension have been monitored annually and are increasing at an alarming rate, mainly due to lack of caution among patients diagnosed with the disease.

Main Causes of Hypertension

Normally, hypertension is acquired in 90% of cases due to family inheritance, but we cannot rule out negative influences from hectic and unbalanced routines, leading to poor eating and lifestyle habits such as:

  • Smoking;
  • Alcohol consumption;
  • Lack of physical activity;
  • Obesity;
  • Excessive salt intake;
  • Stress;
  • High levels of cholesterol.

In addition to the risk factors described above, people who are Black, diabetics, and the elderly are included in the group with a higher incidence of the disease.

Symptoms of Hypertension

The symptoms of hypertension can be mistaken for other health issues and only appear when the blood pressure is very high, which is why it’s considered a silent disease. Symptoms such as severe headache, chest pain, dizziness, ringing in the ears, nosebleeds, blurred vision, and weakness occur when blood pressure is already elevated. Since there is no test to predict it is about to happen, it is recommended that blood pressure be checked at every medical appointment using a device called a sphygmomanometer, or if the above symptoms occur, to seek emergency care for verification. Blood pressure can also be measured at home with portable devices sold in pharmacies.

Diagnosis of Hypertension

The doctors who usually diagnose hypertension are: general practitioners, cardiologists, and vascular surgeons. Diagnosis is made through symptoms described by the patient, information requested during the consultation, and, of course, by checking blood pressure in the office. To make diagnosis easier, be prepared for the following questions:

  • What symptoms do you have and when did they start?
  • Medical history and treatments that have already been done;
  • Family history of diseases;
  • Eating habits;
  • Addictions;
  • When was your last blood pressure measurement?

The diagnosis can be determined by measurement and reported symptoms, but a more specific test may be requested for confirmation, called ABPM (ambulatory blood pressure monitoring), which tracks blood pressure over a 24-hour period, or HBPM (home blood pressure monitoring), which is performed using a portable device the patient already has at home.

How to Measure Blood Pressure at Home Correctly?

During a medical appointment or visit to emergency care, a health professional will instruct you on the correct way to carry out the procedure, but what about at home? How do you measure it correctly?

  • Rest for at least 5 minutes;
  • Remain seated;
  • Preferably measure at a time when you are not anxious or agitated;
  • Position your arm at heart level, preferably with the arm supported;
  • Avoid talking during the measurement;
  • Measure twice, with a 5-minute interval, to confirm the reading.

Treatment of Hypertension

Unfortunately, a cure for hypertension has not yet been found, but it is possible to control it through treatment. Only the physician who is following the patient’s health can recommend the best approach for the individual, which ranges from lifestyle and habit changes to the use of medication. Let’s list some of the essential recommendations for hypertensive patients:

  • Maintain ideal weight;
  • Reduce salt intake;
  • Exercise regularly;
  • Stop smoking;
  • Reduce alcohol consumption;
  • Avoid fatty foods;
  • Have moments of leisure and relaxation.

Regarding medication, there are several drug classes focused on the treatment of hypertension, but treatment is individualized and, therefore, each case may require a different one. It is important to stress that, even when blood pressure is stabilized with the treatment prescribed by a specialist, this does not mean the treatment should stop. Once hypertensive, always hypertensive, and the patient must follow lifestyle changes and treatment for life. If treatment is discontinued and blood pressure rises suddenly, the patient is at risk of serious complications that may lead to death.

Complications of Hypertension

The main complications of hypertension are the risk of stroke, heart attack, and muscle atrophy of the heart that causes cardiac arrhythmia. But besides all these very serious complications, it can also cause damage to male and female fertility, which is very concerning for young people who still dream of having children. In fact, hypertension and fertility do not have a direct connection, but complications caused by hypertension can affect fertility, such as obesity and smoking. In men, recurring problems with high blood pressure and even the use of certain medications can interfere with fertility and cause impotence, in addition to affecting sperm quality, which is why medical follow-up is essential. It is also important to emphasize that hypertension during pregnancy also poses risks to the mother and baby and should be carefully monitored in this case. At the start of prenatal care, the obstetrician-gynecologist should be informed about hypertension so that proper monitoring can be put in place. See also: What is Diphtheria? Photo: Stevepb