Hypertension
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, occurs when the force exerted by blood against the walls of your arteries is consistently too high, exceeding 140/90 mmHg. This widespread condition means that your heart must work harder than normal to circulate blood throughout your body.
Blood pressure is recorded using two numbers:
- The first number, or the systolic blood pressure, represents the force that blood exerts on the artery walls with each heartbeat.
- The second number, or the diastolic blood pressure, reflects the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats.
It’s crucial to manage high blood pressure effectively to avoid serious health issues.
Primary hypertension, also known as essential hypertension, arises without a single identifiable cause. It typically results from a combination of factors, such as:
- Diets high in sodium.
- Insufficient physical activity.
- Regular consumption of alcohol-rich beverages.
In contrast, secondary hypertension is characterized by having one or more specific causes that can be pinpointed by healthcare professionals. Common triggers for secondary hypertension include:
- Use of certain drugs, like immunosuppressants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and birth control pills.
- Conditions affecting the kidneys.
- Obstructive sleep apnea.
- Primary aldosteronism, also known as Conn’s syndrome.
- Use of recreational drugs, such as amphetamines and cocaine.
To manage high blood pressure, adopting lifestyle modifications is beneficial. These changes include:
- Following a diet low in salt and rich in healthy foods.
- Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.
- Increasing physical activity.
- Stopping the use of tobacco products.
For individuals with high blood pressure, doctors may prescribe medication as part of the treatment plan. The target blood pressure can vary depending on any additional health issues present.
The blood pressure target is below 130/80 mmHg for individuals with:
- Cardiovascular diseases, such as heart disease or history of stroke.
- Diabetes.
- Chronic kidney disease.
- A high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
For the general population, the aim is to maintain a blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg.
Several types of medications are commonly used to control high blood pressure:
- ACE inhibitors, like enalapril and lisinopril, which help relax blood vessels and protect the kidneys.
- Angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs), such as losartan and telmisartan, also work to relax blood vessels and offer kidney protection.
- Calcium channel blockers, including amlodipine and felodipine, which aid in relaxing the blood vessels.
- Diuretics, for example, hydrochlorothiazide and chlorthalidone, which help the body remove excess water, thus reducing blood pressure.