what it is, causes, symptoms and treatments

Arterial hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a chronic disease that affects 35% of the Brazilian population, according to data from the Ministry of Health. Still according to the folder, it is characterized by high levels of blood pressure in the arteries.

Because of this, high blood pressure means that the heart has to work harder than normal to circulate blood properly through the body. Additionally, she is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack and stroke (stroke).

Be careful with the measurement

According to general practitioner specialist in occupational medicine and health promotion, Renato Igino dos Santos, any individual can present blood pressure above 140x90mmHg and not be hypertensive. “Only the maintenance of permanently high levels, in multiple measurements, at different times, positions and conditions, such as resting, sitting or lying down, characterizes arterial hypertension”, defines the doctor.

How is the diagnosis made?

For the diagnosis of hypertension, high numbers must be repeated for at least 3 consecutive exams. This is because some occasional elevations in pressure can occur with physical exercises, nervousness, worries, drugs, foodstobacco, alcohol and coffee.

The test that measures the pressure is simple and should be done in any medical consultation, regardless of the clinical specialty. As hypertension is a illnessasymptomatic, the more often the test is performed, the easier it will be to detect any abnormality.

What are the symptoms of hypertension?

The absence of symptoms of hypertension is one of the greatest dangers of the disease. Signs are usually not observed. However, when these occur, they are common to other pathologies, such as headache, dizziness, tiredness, nausea, shortness of breath and nosebleeds. This can even make diagnosis difficult or cause patients to forget to use the medications needed to control blood pressure.

What are the causes of hypertension?

Arterial hypertension is a illness multifactorial, that is, it can have several causes. However, it is possible to divide it into primary and secondary. The first occurs when the cause is unknown. In these patients, there is an increase in the stiffness of the arterial walls, and genetic inheritance may contribute to the onset of the disease.

Doctor Renato Igino dos Santos explains that in secondary hypertension there is no known cause that predominates over the others. But, there are several causes that can boost it, such as hypertension due to kidney disease; pregnancy-related hypertension; drug-induced hypertension, caused by the use or abuse of certain drugs such as corticoids, anti-inflammatories, antidepressants; among others.

prevent hypertension

According to cardiologist Allan Cembranel, some lifestyle changes, such as practicing physical exercises regularly, help in the fight against hypertension. In addition, early diagnosis and continued appropriate treatment can prevent more serious complications caused by high blood pressure. Cardiologist Marly Uellendahl states that the best way to avoid the disease is to acquire healthy eating habits from childhood, control the weight and do not consume alcohol in excess.

hypertension and age

Hypertension can also be directly related to aging. According to physician Renato Igino dos Santos, it is common for blood pressure to increase with age due to vascular changes that accompany aging.

How to prevent hypertension

There are preventive measures that postpone the appearance of arterial hypertension, “such as healthy eating, controlled consumption of sodium, not just sodium chloride, controlled consumption of alcohol, increased consumption of potassium rich foodsfighting sedentary lifestyle and smoking”, encourages the general practitioner.

Treatments for the disease

There are two types of basic treatments for high blood pressure: non-drug and drug. In most patients, treatment begins with non-pharmacological measures, changing some unhealthy habits.

“These are lifestyle changes: weight control, acquiring a dietary pattern with reduced salt and alcohol consumption and regular physical activity”, explains cardiologist José Luiz Cassiolato.