Hypertension, which is one of the most common diseases in the whole world, is seen in approximately 1 out of every 3 adults in our country. Hypertension, which is the most common chronic disease risk factor in adults, can also lead to death silently because it can occur asymptomatically and secretly. Hypertension is an important threat to public health because it can cause many cardiovascular diseases, kidney disease, cerebrovascular events such as cerebral hemorrhage, death at an early age and disability when not controlled. For this reason, it is very important to increase social awareness about blood pressure, to increase the applications to health institutions for early diagnosis and to comply with the lifestyle changes necessary for treatment.
What is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)?
Early diagnosis and early initiation of treatment in high blood pressure patients prevent this risk significantly. In order to diagnose high blood pressure in an adult over the age of 18, repeated blood pressure measurements are made. At the end of these measurements made with a blood pressure device, systolic blood pressure, known as systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure, known as diastolic blood pressure, are recorded. Hypertension is diagnosed if the mean systolic blood pressure values are 140 mmHg and above and/or the mean diastolic blood pressure values are 90 mmHg and above. In many patients, the systolic blood pressure value is used to diagnose, and a high value of this value is important for hypertension. Hypertension is examined in two stages in the measurements. If the mean systolic blood pressure value is between 140-159 and/or the diastolic blood pressure ranges (diastolic blood pressure) is 90-99, this is called stage 1 hypertension. Stage 2 hypertension is diagnosed in people with high blood pressure values whose mean systolic blood pressure is 160 mmHg and above, and whose mean diastolic blood pressure is 100 mmHg or more.
Why Is Blood Pressure Elevated?
Hypertension The disease may occur due to genetic reasons or due to other diseases. This condition is less common and is secondary to hypertension. is named. The more common type in the community is primary hypertension. Lifestyle habits and environmental factors are effective in the formation of primary hypertension. Foods that increase blood pressure, especially with high salt content, cause hypertension when consumed too much. In addition, excessive consumption of high-calorie and high-fat foods also causes weight gain, resulting in increased blood pressure. Consuming enough potassium minerals and healthy eating habits in which fruits and vegetables are taken enough protect the body against blood pressure. The use of cigarettes and other tobacco-containing products and alcohol consumption are also among the conditions that can cause blood pressure to increase. Stress is another factor that can trigger hypertension. In order to avoid high blood pressure, moderate-intensity regular physical activity and increasing exercises are an effective method. curable. Renovascular hypertension is the most common cause of secondary hypertension. Other conditions that cause secondary hypertension are diseases affecting the endocrine system such as acromegaly, some thyroid diseases (hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism), Cushing's disease, and pheochromocytoma. Apart from these, hypertension may occur due to the use of caffeinated or alcoholic beverages. Drugs containing active substances such as cyclosporine, tacrolimus, which are used for treatment in some diseases, and oral contraceptives and anabolic steroids containing high-dose estrogen are also causes of secondary hypertension. Lead poisoning, Guillain-Barre syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome can also cause secondary hypertension by increasing the diastolic and diastolic blood pressure. . Symptoms such as mild headache, dizziness or nosebleeds may occur as a result of elevation. However, these symptoms usually do not indicate that the function of any organ in the body is impaired. There are some symptoms called hypertensive emergencies that suggest acute organ dysfunction (dysfunction). Complaints such as shortness of breath, chest pain, severe headache, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, confusion, seizures, and drowsiness may occur due to impaired function of organs in the body and emergency intervention may be required in these cases. The following symptoms may be seen in secondary hypertension:
- Fatigue: It may occur due to kidney disease, hypercortisolism, thyroid disorders, or obstructive sleep apnea.
- In addition, in case of kidney disease, frequent or less urination, edema, pain or burning sensation during urination and Symptoms such as flank pain may be present.
- Complaints of shortness of breath due to pulmonary edema, which may occur as a result of occlusion of the renal vessels, may occur. fainting, visual disturbances and excessive sweating.
How is the Treatment of High Blood Pressure?
Lifestyle changes are used by physicians to reduce blood pressure to all hypertension patients unless there is a condition that requires attention. recommended. In some of the hypertension patients, improvement in blood pressure values can be seen by taking necessary precautions without the need for drug treatment. The amount of salt consumed with meals is one of the most important factors that cause blood pressure. For this reason, salt restriction is applied in patients with blood pressure. In addition, weight loss with the help of diet and exercise is among the blood pressure lowering applications. A diet that includes vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, poultry, fish, and nuts is effective in many patients. Red� Meat, drinks containing refined sugar and sweets should be consumed with caution, as they can increase blood pressure. In addition, restricting alcohol intake in people who consume alcohol is also effective for lowering blood pressure. In stage 1 hypertension, monotherapy, that is, a single drug therapy, is primarily used to lower blood pressure in drug treatment. However, if the targeted blood pressure values cannot be reached despite the treatment, an additional drug can be added to the prescribed drug or a single drug containing drug combinations can be used. If the target values cannot be reached despite the use of combined drugs, the effect of the treatment is increased by adding new drugs to the drug combination. In addition to drug treatment, foods that lower blood pressure and the application of a diet contribute to the success rate of treatment.
Which Department to Go to for Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure control can be done in various health institutions. Occupational medicine and family medicine, which are primary health care services, are the departments that can be visited for blood pressure. In secondary and tertiary healthcare institutions, internal medicine (internal medicine) and cardiology departments deal with hypertension. In the internal medicine and cardiology branches that deal with the diagnosis and follow-up of hypertension, treatment arrangements are also made in the case of blood pressure that does not decrease despite drug treatment. Apart from these, serious symptoms such as severe headache, chest pain, shortness of breath, and changes in consciousness may be due to emergencies such as sudden blood pressure, so an emergency service can be applied. Early diagnosis and treatment of hypertension protects against life-threatening conditions such as heart attack and stroke. For this reason, in order not to be affected by these situations, which are among the harms of high blood pressure, health institutions should be consulted in a timely manner.
What are the Most Curious About High Blood Pressure?
How High Blood Pressure Affects Our Health Negatively? The continuous increase in blood pressure may cause deterioration in the functions of various organs in the body. It can also cause complaints such as headache, nosebleed, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Heart Early diagnosis and treatment are important because it can lead to serious consequences such as heart failure, heart attack and stroke. It is normal in home measurements. In this case, treatment is usually not started considering the possible harms of hypertension drugs. However, lifestyle changes are recommended to reduce the risk of heart disease. If there are concomitant diseases such as hypercholesterolemia and diabetes that increase the risk of heart disease, these diseases are followed up.
Can We Understand the High Blood Pressure? However, these symptoms may not appear for many years. Symptoms such as blurred vision or vision loss can be seen in hypertensive retinopathy resulting from microvascular changes in the retina that may occur due to hypertension.
What Is Good For High Blood Pressure? Lifestyle changes are of great importance for the correction of high blood pressure. Weight loss in overweight individuals leads to a decrease in blood pressure values. A diet rich in vegetables and fruits, paying attention to whole grain consumption and consuming fish at least twice a week have a significant impact. It is also beneficial to avoid the consumption of foods containing excessive fat, refined sugar and salt as much as possible. Avoiding harmful habits such as alcohol and smoking and exercising regularly are also good for high blood pressure. is an inconvenience. Hypertension can also progress in a latent manner and cause significant damage to the body, such as cardiovascular diseases. In order to prevent these damages that may occur, early diagnosis and treatment should be started in the early period. Therefore, if there are risk factors or symptoms, it is recommended to apply to health institutions for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
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