Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a medical condition in which a person’s blood pressure is continuously elevated above the norm. It is associated with a broad variety of risk factors that put most people into a potential danger group. Furthermore, the effects of continued hypertension can be highly threatening to a person, as high blood pressure can harm every organ, including the heart, brain, eyes, and kidneys. More in-depth knowledge of the particulars of the condition is essential, as it is so common that people tend to assume they know everything about it and try ineffective folk remedies or dismiss it. This brochure addresses the risk factors, consequences, prevention, and treatment of hypertension.
Risk Factors
As mentioned above, high blood pressure can be the result of a broad variety of factors. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014) list three primary categories of potential dangers: prior conditions, behavior patterns, and other characteristics such as family history. The second group is the most relevant to a community, as habits and behavior can be changed through an effort of willpower. It includes an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, obesity, and excessive alcohol or tobacco use. All of these traits are directly related to increased blood pressure through a variety of factors. In general, however, a person that leads a traditional healthy lifestyle should not be at risk due to behavioral reasons.
The other two categories can be grouped together based on the fact that the person does not have direct control over their prevalence. Some medical conditions can be precursors to the appearance of hypertension. Prehypertension, where blood pressure is above average, but not to a threatening degree, indicates the possibility of the severity increasing and resulting and harm. Diabetes is another known cause for concern, as it is strongly associated with high blood pressure. Lastly, a tendency to have hypertension can be a hereditary, racial, or age-related trait. The influence of genetics and heredity on blood pressure has not been proven conclusively yet, but medical practice indicates a correlation. Lastly, seniors and black people are more likely to develop hypertension than younger people and members of other races, respectively.
Possible Consequences
High blood pressure can result in a broad variety of dangerous outcomes, as the human body is not capable of handling such a situation for extended periods. Mayo Clinic Staff (2019) identify issues such as organ damage, sexual dysfunction, bone loss, trouble sleeping, and a variety of emergencies. The organs at risk include arteries, the heart, the brain, the kidneys, and eyes. Blood vessels can become damaged due to the strain, leading to aneurysms. The heart has to pump more blood, leading to stress and stiffening of the left ventricle. Kidneys can become scarred, and eye nerves can become damaged. All of the above can lead to damage and potential failure of the organs affected.
Hypertension-related sexual dysfunction typically occurs due to blood vessel damage and the subsequent hardening. The process is accompanied by narrowing and known as atherosclerosis, and it results in reduced blood flow. According to Mayo Clinic Staff (2019), the decrease leads to difficulty in achieving and maintaining erections for men and potential vaginal dryness and difficulty in attaining orgasm for women. Other side effects of increased blood pressure increase bone loss due to increased calcium content in urine and obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that manifests in loud snoring, preventing sleep and leading to further blood pressure increases. Lastly, people that have hypertension are at risk for a variety of life-threatening organ failures, such as strokes, heart attacks, and pulmonary edemas.
Prevention Methods
As was indicated above, a significant portion of the causes of increased blood pressure is related to a person’s habits and lifestyle. Changes in one’s behavior and traits can considerably reduce the probability of hypertension and associated concerns. The primary factor to consider is weight, as obesity increases the likelihood of the condition as well as a variety of other issues. The primary, and most reliable, method of reducing one’s body mass is regular exercise, although it still requires a degree of supervision. Food supplements can be an effective factor, as well, but a consultation with a medical specialist may be necessary to determine their potential usefulness and risks. Nevertheless, changing one’s diet to include fewer unhealthy food and reducing alcohol and tobacco intake are both valid strategies.
It should be noted that eliminating alcohol from one’s life is not necessary, as small intakes may have positive effects on health. However, the same notion does not apply to cigarettes, as tobacco’s damaging effects outweigh any potential positives. Reduced stress can also be an effective prevention strategy, as blood pressure has been documented to rise in high-tension situations. Getting sufficient amounts of sleep would also contribute to bringing blood pressure to optimal levels. If one has a medical condition that is a known precursor to hypertension, regularly checking one’s blood pressure and scheduling occasional check-ups may be prudent. The same consideration applies if a person belongs to a risk group based on his or her age or race.
Treatment Approaches
Currently, a significant portion of people in the United States have hypertension, and knowledge of accepted treatments would benefit them and their families. All of the prevention guidelines still apply, as the condition does not perpetuate itself and grow as an infection would. However, they become significantly more urgent, as the blood pressure is gradually but persistently harming the person’s blood vessels and organs. In addition, Gabb et al. (2016) suggest ambulatory or home monitoring for patients with a clinic blood pressure over 140/90 mmHg and immediately starting medication-based therapy for people whose BP is over 160/100 mmHg. Drugs are the primary medical method of quickly and efficiently addressing severe hypertension.
It should be noted that while the practice of using anti-hypertensive therapy for patients with blood pressure below the threshold indicated above is not commonly practiced, it is an advisable approach. Gabb et al. (2016) note that the treatment significantly lowers the risks of complications and mortality among patients with mild hypertension, which is characterized by blood pressure in the 140-159 mmHg range. They advise the use of drugs in such cases once the absolute risk of cardiovascular disease or organ damage are confirmed to be significant. However, if there is no threat to a patient’s health, the use of therapy or other medical interventions are not warranted, and lifestyle improvements should be the primary agent of change until healthy blood pressure is achieved or the situation escalates due to outside factors.
Conclusion
Hypertension is a condition that is present in a significant number of American people. It is a disorder that is primarily caused by unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as insufficient exercise, unbalanced dietary preferences, and obesity. Increased blood pressure results in damage to blood vessels, which can in turn harm a variety of organs, many of which are vital and can cause life-threatening failures. The primary method of preventing and treating the condition involves establishing a healthy lifestyle that incorporates medically advised diets, physical activity, and reduced substance use. However, in severe cases, medical intervention using drugs becomes necessary, as the approach is the most prominent among those known to medical specialists.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). High blood pressure risk factors. Web.
Gabb, G. M., Mangoni, A. A., Anderson, C. S., Cowley, D., Dowden, J. S., Golledge, J.,… & Schlaich, M. (2016). Guideline for the diagnosis and management of hypertension in adults – 2016. Medical Journal of Australia, 205(2), 85-89.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019). High blood pressure dangers: Hypertension’s effects on your body. Web.