Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms itself. It is, however, a major risk factor for stroke, coronary artery disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, peripheral arterial disease, vision loss, chronic kidney disease, and dementia. Hypertension is a major cause of premature death worldwide.
Classification of Hypertension:
High blood pressure is classified as Primary (Essential) Hypertension and Secondary Hypertension. About 90–95% of cases are Primary, defined as high blood pressure due to nonspecific lifestyle and genetic factors. Lifestyle factors that increase the risk include excess body weight, smoking, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol use and excess salt in the diet. The remaining 5–10% of cases are categorized as Secondary high blood pressure, defined as high blood pressure due to a clearly identifiable cause, such as chronic kidney disease, narrowing of the kidney arteries, an endocrine disorder, or the use of birth control pills.
For most adults, high blood pressure is present if the resting blood pressure is persistently at or above 140/90 mmHg. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring over a 24-hour period appears more accurate than office-based blood pressure measurement.
Signs and symptoms:
Hypertension is rarely accompanied by symptoms, and its identification is usually through health screening, or when seeking healthcare for an unrelated problem. Some people with high blood pressure report headaches (particularly at the back of the head and in the morning), as well as lightheadedness, vertigo, tinnitus (buzzing or hissing in the ears), altered vision or fainting episodes. These symptoms, however, might be related to associated anxiety rather than the high blood pressure itself.
On physical examination, hypertension may be associated with the presence of changes in the retina seen by ophthalmoscopy on fundus examination. The severity of the changes typical of hypertensive retinopathy is graded from I to IV; grades I and II may be difficult to differentiate. The severity of the retinopathy correlates roughly with the duration or the severity of the hypertension.
How to treat Hypertension (High BP):
Lifestyle changes and medications can lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of health complications. Lifestyle changes include weight loss, physical exercise, decreased salt intake, reducing alcohol intake, and a healthy diet. If lifestyle changes are not sufficient, then blood pressure medications are used. The treatment of moderately high arterial blood pressure (defined as >160/100 mmHg) with medications is associated with an improved life expectancy. Up to three medications taken concurrently can control blood pressure in 90% of people.
This is published on the occasion of World Hypertension Day 2024. The theme of World Hypertension Day 2024 is: “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer”, focusing on combating low awareness rates worldwide and on promoting accurate blood pressure measurement methods. Its purpose is to communicate to the public the importance of hypertension and its serious medical complications, and to provide information on prevention, detection, and management.
