Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure among the people, is a common health problem seen in one out of every three people according to large epidemiological studies conducted in our country.
What is Hypertension?
Its incidence increases with age. Hypertension disease is often caused by genetic and environmental factors. Although the rate of high blood pressure is higher in people with a history of hypertension in their first-degree relatives compared to other people, nutrition, weight problems, alcohol, smoking and the presence of many different diseases may also increase the risk of hypertension.
It is characterized by symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, swelling in the legs. Hypertension is a very serious condition that can result in myocardial infarction, or commonly known as heart attack, heart failure, stroke and even death.
What are Normal Blood Pressure Values?
In order for blood to reach all tissues in our body, it must be ejected from the heart at a certain pressure. This pressure, which occurs with the contraction of the heart muscles, is reflected on the walls of the blood vessels. When measuring blood pressure, the pressure felt on the vessel walls of the veins, called veins, is measured. Blood pressure values give information about the adequacy of the circulatory system.
The pressure exerted by the heart as it pumps blood into the arteries (arteries) is called "high blood pressure" (systolic pressure), and "diastolic pressure" (diastolic pressure) is the pressure created by the stagnant pressure on the vessel wall when the blood beat is over. ). Blood pressure values are affected by conditions such as age, presence of chronic disease.
Normal blood pressure in adults is 120-140 mmHg systolic and 80-90 mmHg diastolic. If the blood pressure is above 140/90 mmHg, the presence of "hypertension" is suspected.
What is Hypertension?
In hypertension patients, the blood pressure value is above the expected value. A blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg and above is called high blood pressure, that is, hypertension. Bleeding occurs due to vascular ruptures in areas such as intraocular and kidney. Rapid elevation of systolic blood pressure and/or being above 160-180 mmHg prepares the ground for cerebral hemorrhage, especially in elderly people with decreased vascular elasticity.
The opposite is also true. In cases where the diastolic blood pressure is less than 80 mmHg, the blood cannot reach the extreme parts of the body. This is called “hypotension” (low blood pressure). In hot weather, pooling of blood in the feet and legs (not being able to be thrown back to the heart), a decrease in the volume of blood transmitted to the brain with a pressure that can overcome gravity, is manifested by dizziness, temporary loss of consciousness, cold sweats and fainting. This is the body's self-protection mechanism. When the body is in a horizontal position (lying down or falling), the circulatory system begins to pump enough blood to the organs again.
What are the Symptoms of Hypertension?
Hypertension is an insidious disease that often does not show symptoms. Therefore, many hypertension patients are unaware of their disease. That's why it's called the "silent killer".
Hypertension symptoms are mostly felt when the blood pressure value rises above 180/100 mmHg. Common symptoms of hypertension can be listed as follows:
- Headache,
- Dizziness,
- Tinnitus,
- Weakness and fatigue,
- Swelling in the legs,
- Blurred vision,
- Nosebleeds,
- Frequent urge to urinate,
- Heart pain ,
- Rhythm disturbances,
- Shortness of breath.
How to Detect Presence of Hypertension?
Presence of Hypertension Blood pressure must be measured regularly. In other words, once the blood pressure is measured, a high value is not enough to prove the presence of high blood pressure disease. First of all, the person should rest in the appropriate position for about 10 minutes before the blood pressure is measured. Blood pressure should not be measured after intense physical activity or sudden mood swings. It is also important that the ambient temperature is at the ideal temperature.
After all conditions are met, blood pressure should be measured and the measurement should be made on both arms. Measurement over a week If the values obtained in the results are 140/90 mmHg and above, it is necessary to apply to a health institution and perform the necessary health checks.
What are the Causes of Hypertension?
There are two common causes of hypertension. One of them is genetic and the other is environmental factors. Genetic factors are the factor that occurs with the presence of a history of hypertension in first-degree relatives that the person cannot control.
However, avoiding environmental factors is mostly in the hands of the individual. Stressful lifestyle, smoking and alcohol use, excessive weight, and excessive salt in the diet can be listed among the environmental factors that increase the risk of hypertension.
In addition, high intracranial pressure, stenosis in the part of the aorta where it exits the heart, aortic coarctation (stenosis in a part of the artery), stenosis in the renal vessels, Cushing's Syndrome and Crohn's disease, which develop due to excessive cortisone or aldosterone secretion of the adrenal gland, suprarenal The presence of tumors in the gland, acute and chronic kidney inflammation, polycystic kidney disease, some prescription and nonprescription drugs can also be listed among the factors that cause hypertension.
Hypertension and Nutrition
70% of overweight people hypertension is seen. Diet plays an important role in hypertension, which is twice as common in obese people compared to healthy individuals. Salt consumption is 6 g per day. Limiting it with hypertension is one of the first steps to be taken in hypertension. Salt shakers should never be used.
Plenty of calcium should be taken, fruits and vegetables containing potassium should be consumed. In addition, foods containing magnesium are also effective in lowering high blood pressure.
Products high in saturated fat should be avoided, instead, foods made with unsaturated fats such as olive oil should be consumed. Alcohol and cigarettes should not be used. One of the most suitable diets for hypertension disease is the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension / dietary approaches to prevent hypertension) diet. In this diet, which is reminiscent of the Mediterranean diet, products containing salt, sugar and saturated fat are excluded from the diet, while it is recommended to eat rich in vegetables, fruits, grains, fish and poultry. be healthy Although weight loss is among the factors that reduce the risk of hypertension, it alone is not sufficient for the treatment of hypertension.
Patients with hypertension should take their medications regularly, at the specified dose, and pay attention to their nutrition.
Hypertension and Pregnancy
The blood pressure of expectant mothers who have no history of hypertension before, should be checked at the 20th anniversary of pregnancy. Hypertension in pregnancy, which is noticed with a value above 140/90 mmHg after the first week of pregnancy, is seen in 6 of every 100 pregnant women. Blood pressure usually returns to normal by the 12th week after birth. However, if the blood pressure does not fall within the healthy range after the 12th week, the person is considered to have hypertension.
Hypertension in pregnancy requires close follow-up because of the risk of preeclampsia (pregnancy poisoning). In cases of neglected hypertension, the mother and baby may be adversely affected by this situation. According to the blood pressure value during pregnancy, drugs that will not harm the baby can be given to the expectant mother. Thus, the health of both the mother and the baby is protected.
Is Hypertension Harmful?
Hypertension, defined as high blood pressure, affects primarily the heart, arteries, brain, kidneys and eyes. Uncontrolled hypertension can cause permanent damage to these tissues and organs, as well as cause these organs to fail to perform their vital functions. Many health problems such as vascular rupture, cerebral hemorrhage, narrowing and/or blockage in cerebral vessels, paralysis, stroke, vision problems and blindness may occur.
What are Hypertension Diagnosis and Treatment Methods?
For the diagnosis of hypertension, first of all, the blood pressure of the person measured on different dates should be above 140/90 mmHg. After the physical examination, the blood pressure of the person is monitored with the use of a 24-hour holter. EKG, (electrocardiogram) ECO, (echocardiography) is taken.
A diagnosis of hypertension is made after additional laboratory tests. Reducing the primary target blood pressure value below 14/90 mmHg in the treatment of hypertension prevention of possible tissue and organ damage. The physician starts the drug therapy for the treatment individually.
In addition to all of these, it requests a series of changes in diet and lifestyle in order to support the treatment. In particular, salt consumption should be 6 g per day. Weight control and regular exercise are important.
After the decrease in blood pressure, the use of medication should never be stopped and control should be made at intervals determined by the physician. In addition, if the blood pressure does not decrease despite the use of drugs and the regulation of lifestyle, a doctor should be consulted. In such cases, the physician investigates additional diseases such as kidney disease, hormonal problems, and thyroid problems that cause blood pressure to rise.
Read: 0
