Disease out of nowhere

The main symptom of hypertension is a frequent and prolonged increase in blood pressure over 140/90 mm Hg. The cause of this phenomenon can be different diseases, such as kidney disease or hormonal failure, but in 90 % of cases, we are talking about primary hypertension. This means there is high blood pressure without a known cause.

Hypertension is a disease of civilization. Men and women live, on average, 70-80 years. The most "working" system of the body — the system of blood delivery to organs and tissues — begins to suffer first, especially if a person is not too careful about his or her health. The main risk factors for hypertension include the following:

Hypodynamia: a sedentary lifestyle does not "disperse the blood."

Smoking: harms the heart and blood vessels.

Alcohol abuse: hypertensive crisis often occurs against the background of hangover syndrome.

Excess weight: the greater the body weight, the more fat squeezes the vessels and the more tissues need to provide blood, which leads to increased pressure.

In the health care system of many countries, the maximum allowable blood pressure level is 130/80.

No one is immune

Older age and unhealthy lifestyle are risk factors, but young people and those with good lifestyle habits can also suffer from high blood pressure. Even low blood pressure does not guarantee the absence of hypertension in the future. At the same time, women are less likely to suffer from hypertension when they are young, as the female sex hormone estrogen protects the blood vessels. However, when women’s estrogen levels drop with the onset of menopause, the risks of high blood pressure in men and women are comparable.

Additionally, there are people whose blood pressure remains normal into old age. No conclusive reason for this has yet been found by scientists.

After age 30, it is sufficient to measure blood pressure once every six months. Between ages 40 and 60 it should be done monthly, and after age 60 it should be done daily.

Is it possible to avoid hypertension?

In the initial stage of the disease, the doctor will suggest adjusting the lifestyle including implementing a daily routine, eliminating bad habits, normalizing weight, exercising, and adhering to a proper diet with a limitation of salt and sugar. These recommendations alone help 30-40 % of hypertension cases normalize blood pressure and slow disease development for decades.

If a person suffers from hypertension for several years, the diameter of blood vessels changes and atherosclerosis appears. With these issues, it is almost impossible to stop being hypertensive, and it is necessary to take medications regularly.

Many need help understanding why reducing blood pressure is necessary if the numbers on the tonometer are bad but there are no physical symptoms. However, high blood pressure quietly undermines the body from the inside. The increased load on the heart and blood vessels causes the blood supply to deteriorate, which puts the brain and kidneys at risk. That is why blood pressure must be kept under control.

15 April 2024