Blood pressure is the force with which the blood hits the arterial walls and we speak of arterial hypertension when the blood pressure in the blood vessels is too high (greater than 140/90 mmHg), causing damage to different organs, mainly the heart, brain, kidneys, arteries and eyes, and is one of the main cardiovascular risk factors.
Here are some important facts you should know:
- It is the most common cardiovascular disease in the world, estimated to affect 1 in 3 adults, around 1.3 billion people.
- Almost half of hypertensive patients are unaware of their diagnosis, increasing complications.
- Only 1 in 5 hypertensive adults have adequate control of their disease.
What are the main risk factors?
- Age over 65 years old
- Genetic causes (first-degree family history)
- Overweight and obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Frequent alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Increased salt in the diet
- Renal disease
- Diabetes Mellitus
What are the symptoms?
- Arterial hypertension is a silent killer, most patients only experience symptoms when there is already organ involvement.
- In some cases, patients may experience headaches, dizziness, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, nosebleeds, and chest tightness, among others.
- In hypertensive crises (blood pressure greater than 180/120 mmHg) some patients may present intense chest or back pain, altered state of consciousness, neurological deficit (loss of strength in some extremities, speech difficulties, deviation of the corner of the mouth, among others) or difficulty breathing; in these cases, the patient should consult an emergency department immediately.
How is the diagnosis made?
- The diagnosis should be made by a health professional (general practitioner or specialist).
- The diagnosis is based on demonstrating a blood pressure above 140/80 mmgH and a normal-high blood pressure is considered above 130/80 mmHg (at this point non-pharmacological interventions should be initiated).
- The main methods for diagnosis are:
- Serial pressure taking in the office (with an appropriate sphygmomanometer and technique).
- Home monitoring with calibrated and approved devices (see list at https://www.validatebp.org/).
- Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM): in some centers, it also allows assessment of the phenotype of hypertension (individual characteristics that help to personalize treatment).
- Blood pressure measurement is recommended in every medical consultation to increase the probability of diagnosis, mainly in people over 40 years of age.
What are the main complications?
- Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to serious cardiovascular damage, such as acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and arrhythmias.
- Arterial disease: carotid disease, peripheral arterial disease, alterations of the aorta such as aneurysms and acute aortic syndromes.
- Stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic).
- Chronic renal insufficiency and need for dialysis.
- Blindness due to retinal damage
How is it treated?
- Treatment is based on 2 fundamental pillars: lifestyle changes (non-pharmacological measures) and antihypertensive drugs.
- A healthy, low-sodium diet is essential.
- Physical activity is recommended, at least 150 minutes a week, including aerobic and resistance exercise.
- Lose weight if you are obese or overweight.
- Stop smoking and significantly reduce alcohol consumption.
- Adequate hydration
- Antihypertensive drugs should be prescribed by your physician.
- Comorbidities should be treated and an adequate medical follow-up should be performed.
In SINCRO we are trained to diagnose and treat this pathology comprehensively. Schedule your appointment here