Understand Hypertension: Treatments, Causes and Prevention
The condition known as hypertension or high blood pressure affects millions of people worldwide. The silent killer can have far-reaching effects, including heart disease, kidney failure, and stroke. Understanding hypertension and its treatments and prevention can reduce associated risks.
What Is Hypertension?
Hypertension, a chronic medical condition, is marked by persistently high blood pressure. World Health Organization estimates that approximately 1,13 billion people worldwide have hypertension. This condition is estimated to cause 7.5 millions deaths per year, or about 12. 8% total deaths. Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of global death.
Normal blood pressure ranges are usually between 120/80mmHg. Hypertension is diagnosed when a blood pressure level consistently exceeds 140/90mmHg. Regularly monitoring blood pressure is important, as most hypertension symptoms don't appear until complications have developed.
Causes Common to Hypertension
Hypertension is caused by several factors, such as:
- Hypertension is more likely to develop as you age.
- Families: People with a history of hypertension in their family are at a higher risk for developing the disease.
- Hypertension is caused by a poor diet.
- Inactivity: A sedentary lifestyle can lead to an increased heart rate, blood pressure and other health problems.
- Alcohol and tobacco can both cause high blood pressure, which in turn damages the heart.
Although these factors do not guarantee hypertension, they can increase your risk. Managing these factors can reduce your risk of high blood pressure.
Hypertension Treatments
Hypertension is treated to reduce high blood pressure, and to protect vital organs like the brain and heart from harm. Treatments include:
- Changes in lifestyle: These include healthy eating and regular exercise. They also limit alcohol consumption, quit smoking, and reduce their intake of alcohol.
- Treatment: Several classes of medications are used to treat hypertension. These include diuretics and beta-blockers.
A study in The Lancet found that adhering strictly to medications and changing lifestyle can lower the risk of major heart events in moderately hypertensive people by about 25% .
Experts' Opinions about Hypertension
Health professionals and leading health organizations stress the importance prevention and management of hypertension. American Heart Association stresses that controlling and understanding blood pressure are crucial to the fight against cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association also stresses the importance of regular checks and adhering to treatment plans.
Studies , like those in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggest that managing hypertension effectively requires not just medication, but lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise and weight control.
Prevention and Natural Remedies
Various strategies can help prevent hypertension and manage it in a natural way, such as:
- Weight management: How to maintain a healthy body weight
- Eating a balanced, low-salt diet
- Exercise regularly
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Stop smoking
- Relaxation techniques to manage stress
The lifestyle changes can be a great way to lower blood pressure and maintain overall health.
Conclusion
While hypertension is common, it's a serious condition. It requires management and prevention in order to prevent its fatal consequences. It's possible for you to effectively control the silent killer by understanding the causes, realizing the importance of the treatment, listening to expert advice and adopting a healthier lifestyle. You are the only one who can beat hypertension.
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