‘Hypertension’, or more accurately ‘arterial hypertension’, is commonly known as ‘high blood pressure’. Hypertension gives the greatest risk of heart failure, heart attacks and strokes, but also several other very serious (chronic) diseases such as kidney (renal) failure and arterial aneurysm. Hypertension is classified into two types: essential and secondary hypertension. The former is where high blood pressure has resulted from no obvious cause; the latter where it is the direct result (symptom) of a prime cause such as kidney failure or surgery.
Normal blood pressure is considered to be 120/80 mmHg (or slightly lower). Pre-hypertension has been designated as a ‘warning flag’ and is marked by a blood pressure between normal and 139/89 mmHg. Hypertension is anything above that. There are also some differences of opinion: some people say that normal should be 115/75 and others that ‘pre-hypertension’ is not a recognised disease category, but rather a way labelling those most at risk of developing hypertension. Those with diabetes (mellitus) and kidney problems are greatly at risk with a blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg or over. However, given that blood pressure measurements taken at home are generally lower than those taken in a clinic or hospital, due to the ‘white coat’ effect, some consider that the ‘danger zones’ are entered at lower readings, when one is measuring one’s own blood pressure. Unfortunately, hypertension rarely produces symptoms under 240/120, which is one of the reasons why it is often discovered ‘by accident’ and earned its nickname of ‘The Silent Killer’.
‘Malignant hypertension’ is a phase of long-term untreated high blood pressure and is marked by accelerated increase in readings. It may cause head-aches, blurred vision and internal organ damage.
Readings should be one taken one hour after drinking or eating products containing caffeine, 30 minutes after smoking and when the patient is ‘not under stress.
Treatment is often associated with weight loss and increased exercise, but a doctor should be consulted even in cases of pre-hypertension. Dietary changes are also important in this phase. It has been recorded that increased consumption of calcium and fruit can be very beneficial and, while stopping smoking does not necessarily lead to the lowering blood pressure, smoking does bring with it its own increased risk of stroke and heart problems, to which the suffer of hypertension is already at an above average risk. Often, the patient in this category will be given oral medication, which he / she will take for the rest of his / her life. There are many treatments on the market, which can be prescribed by a doctor and there are also herbal / homeopathic remedies too.
Sodium (salt) intolerance and sleep disorder (apnea) can be major causes of hypertension. Sleep apnea (characterized by waking frequently at night and excessively loud snoring) is often caused by drinking too much alcohol or being overweight, So, many sufferers of hypertension can reduce their blood pressure by cutting out salt and getting a good night’s sleep, which for those with sleep apnea is not as easy as it sounds).
However, it cannot be stressed too heavily, that this is a very serious condition, which must be treated under supervision, even though there are many lifestyle changes that one an effect to ameliorate the condition.
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Hypertension
