High Blood Pressure: What You Need To Know In 5 Questions
In France, it is estimated that 17 million people suffer from high blood pressure, yet over 6 million of them are unaware of it. It's important to have your blood pressure checked regularly because this silent condition is not without risks. It constitutes a risk factor that can lead to very serious complications, such as heart attacks or strokes. Here is everything you need to know about it in 5 questions.
High blood pressure is a condition in which the force of the blood against the artery walls is too high.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, refers to abnormally high arterial pressure.
Blood pressure, which is the force exerted by the blood against the artery walls, is represented by two numbers:
- Systolic pressure: the blood pressure when the heart contracts and pumps blood into the arteries.
- Diastolic pressure: the blood pressure when the heart relaxes and fills up again.
Blood pressure is considered normal when the systolic blood pressure is below 140 millimeters of mercury (Hg) and the diastolic blood pressure is below 90 millimeters of Hg.
What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?
Some hypertensive patients complain of symptoms such as headaches in the late night, ringing in the ears, or black spots before their eyes. However, the majority of affected individuals do not experience any symptoms and believe they are in perfect health. This problem often goes unnoticed because it progresses silently. Yet, it is not without consequences for the health of hypertensive people.
From the age of 50, it is therefore recommended to check one's blood pressure at least once a year, or even twice if there are additional risk factors such as age, heredity, and being a woman. Indeed, after menopause, one in two women is affected due to the drop in estrogen that ensures the flexibility of the arteries.
3- What are the risks associated with high blood pressure?
When blood pressure is too high, the arteries age more quickly, and the heart is under more strain and becomes tired. This is why hypertension is a very concerning risk factor.
It can have serious long-term consequences on health because it promotes:
- myocardial infarction;
- strokes or cerebrovascular accidents;
- kidney failure;
- heart failure;
- lower limb arteritis.
The risk of cardiovascular, neurological, and renal complications, or even death, increases with elevated blood pressure.
4- How to prevent and control high blood pressure?
Health risks can be mitigated through appropriate medication. This issue can also be prevented by good lifestyle hygiene.
The main difficulty lies in the insidious nature of hypertension. Many patients with high blood pressure show no symptoms and find out about their elevated blood pressure during a medical examination for another reason.
In the majority of cases, this problem does not have a specific medical cause. However, it is known that its occurrence is statistically linked to certain factors such as age and lifestyle.
Blood pressure increases with aging. Hypertension affects only 1% of people aged 20 to 29, but 20% of those aged 60 to 69, and 50% of those over 80 years old. The role of heredity has also been demonstrated, but patients can mainly take action in terms of their diet and physical activity.
Salt intake, weight, and chronic stress directly affect blood pressure, hence the importance of eating a balanced and low-salt diet and regularly exercising. Conversely, it is important to ensure sufficient intake of calcium and potassium as these nutrients help regulate blood pressure.
5- How to treat high blood pressure?
Monitoring your blood pressure at least once a year is a real preventive measure against high blood pressure and its consequences (heart attack, stroke, etc.).
In addition to various medicinal treatments, adherence to certain lifestyle and dietary habits can sometimes be enough to normalize blood pressure.
Your doctor will likely advise you to:
- lose weight if you are overweight.
- limit your intake of salt and alcohol.
- quit smoking if you are a smoker.
- engage in regular physical activity and move for at least 30 minutes each day.
- practice relaxation techniques such as yoga or sophrology, for example.
- treat sleep apnea if necessary.
