Get Screened to Stop High Blood Pressure from Creeping Up on You

<p>Blood pressure is a measure of how forcefully your body pushes blood through the arteries. You can think of high blood pressure and your arteries like putting your thumb over the end of a garden hose, increasing the velocity at which the water ejects. </p> <p>High blood pressure (or hypertension) can be extremely dangerous, not least of all because of its status as a “silent killer”, which refers to the fact that there are no obvious warning signs when it’s out of control. Here are some quick facts on why we need to monitor and control our blood pressure.</p> <h2>Facts on high blood pressure</h2> <h3>1. Prevalence</h3> <p>Hypertension is a significant global health issue, according to the WHO, as it affects around 1.13 billion people across the world. By 2025, this figure is expected to rise to 1.56 billion.</p> <figure><img alt="" height="366" src="https://cdn.storymd.com/optimized/PApN57tvd5/original.png" width="700" /> <figcaption>High Blood Pressure <em>Source: StoryMD</em></figcaption> </figure> <h3>2. Statistics</h3> <ul> <li><strong>Risk increases with age. </strong>The prevalence of high blood pressure increases with age: CDC data shows that people aged 18 to 39 have a rate of 22.4%, while those 60 and over have a rate of 74.5%.</li> <li><strong>Race/ethnicity differences. </strong>The prevalence of hypertension is higher among Black people (57.1%) than white (43.6%) and Hispanic (43.7%) people.</li> <li><strong>Undiagnosed cases</strong>. Globally, it is estimated that 46% of people with hypertension are unaware they have it</li> </ul> <h3>3. Damage to arteries</h3> <p>Hypertension is dangerous for your arteries as it damages the arterial walls, making them more likely to develop deposits of plaque that harden and potentially block your arteries. The deposits can also lead to blood clots, which can flow through your bloodstream and cause a blockage to the heart or the brain, setting you up for a heart attack or stroke. </p> <h3>4. Asymptomatic nature</h3> <p>High blood pressure often shows no symptoms, so many are unaware they have it until problems arise. This is why regular screenings are essential to catch it early and get it under control.</p> <h3>5. Types of hypertension</h3> <ul> <li><strong><strong>Primary hypertension. </strong></strong>This type develops over time and has no obvious root cause.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><strong>Secondary hypertension. </strong>Caused by an underlying condition like kidney disease, thyroid disorders, or certain medications.</li> </ul> <h3>6. Blood pressure readings </h3> <p>We measure blood pressure by getting two readings: systolic pressure (the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats) and diastolic pressure (the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats). A normal reading is typically below 120/80 mmHg. Readings above this range indicate elevated blood pressure. </p> <figure><img alt="" height="400" src="https://cdn.storymd.com/optimized/GJdPlKUjd3/thumbnail.jpg" width="736" /> <figcaption>Control Blood Pressure <em>Source: TheVisualMD</em></figcaption> </figure> <h3>7. Risk factors</h3> <p>Many factors make up your hypertension risk profile: </p> <ul> <li>Genetics</li> <li>Lifestyle choices</li> <li>Underlying health conditions</li> <li>Family history</li> <li>Age </li> <li>Obesity </li> <li>Poor diet</li> <li>Low physical activity </li> <li>Excessive drinking</li> <li>Smoking</li> </ul> <h3>8. Complications</h3> <p>High blood pressure is a leading cause of premature deaths around the world. There are many potential complications:</p> <ul> <li>Heart disease</li> <li>Stroke</li> <li>Kidney damage</li> <li>Loss of vision</li> <li>Cognitive decline</li> </ul> <h3>9. Diagnosing high blood pressure</h3> <p>If your blood pressure readings are consistently high, you may be diagnosed with hypertension. The criteria differ slightly between different healthcare organizations, but in general, if you’re consistently hitting numbers exceeding 130/80 mmHg, you qualify for a diagnosis.</p> <h3>10. Treating hypertension</h3> <p>Getting hypertension under control usually requires lifestyle modifications and medications. Lifestyle changes include adopting a healthy diet, regular exercise, weight management, limiting alcohol, reducing sodium intake, and managing stress.</p> <h3>11. The DASH diet</h3> <p>The DASH diet (dietary approaches to stopping hypertension) is a healthy eating strategy that was designed to combat high blood pressure. Foods in the DASH diet are rich in minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium, and there is a strong focus on vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. </p> <p>Fat-free or low-fat products, fish, chicken, beans, and nuts are favored options. Anything high in salt is off-limits, and added sugar should be avoided.</p> <h3>12. Medications</h3> <p>Anti-hypertension drugs may include ACE inhibitors, diuretics, angiotensin II receptor blockers, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers.</p> <figure><img alt="" height="467" src="https://cdn.storymd.com/optimized/4AwjLgTrqz/original.jpg" width="700" /> <figcaption>Medicating High Blood Pressure <em>Source: TheVisualMD</em></figcaption> </figure> <h3>13. Preventing hypertension</h3> <p>Prevention is central to the public health strategy for high blood pressure. Essentially the same lifestyle changes you make when you are diagnosed and need to get it under control are what is recommended to prevent it from happening in the first place. So, a healthy diet, exercise, limiting alcohol, quitting smoking, managing stress, and attending regular screenings should be your priority. </p> <h3>14. Monitoring</h3> <p>For those with high blood pressure, regular screening is vital to keep an eye on the situation. This usually looks like self-monitoring at home using blood pressure monitors, along with periodic visits to healthcare providers for more comprehensive assessments.</p> <p>The aim is to get blood pressure back to a normal range and reduce the risk of complications.</p> <h2>More on High Blood Pressure</h2><ul><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/pwvvoz507w-high-blood-pressure" target="_blank">High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment</a></li><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/2wzavzg1lj-high-blood-pressure-and-older-adults" target="_blank">High Blood Pressure and Older Adults</a></li><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/pwgr52yt4j-blood-pressure-medicines" target="_blank">Blood Pressure Medicines</a></li></ul>