Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1.28 billion adults aged 30-79 years worldwide experience hypertension. Most live in low- and middle-income countries. An estimated 46% of adults with hypertension are unaware that they have the condition. Less than half of adults (42%) with hypertension are diagnosed and treated. Only about 1 in 5 adults (21%) with hypertension have their blood pressure controlled. Hypertension is the leading cause of premature death worldwide. One of the global targets for non-communicable diseases is to reduce the prevalence of hypertension by 33% between 2010 and 2030.
HYPERTENSION CRITERIA
A person is said to have hypertension (high blood pressure) if the pressure in his blood vessels is too high (140/90 mmHg or more). This is often encountered but can have serious consequences if not treated.
People with high blood pressure may not experience symptoms. The only way to find out is to check your blood pressure.
Things that increase your risk of having high blood pressure include:
- Old age
- Genetic factors
- Being overweight or obese
- Not physically active
- High salt diet
- Consuming too much alcohol
Lifestyle changes such as eating healthier foods, stopping smoking and becoming more active (doing physical activity) can help lower blood pressure. Some people may still need help with taking medication.
The results of blood pressure measurements are written as two numbers. The first number (systolic) represents the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart contracts or beats. The second number (diastolic) represents the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart is resting between beats.
A person is said to have hypertension if measured on two different days, the systolic blood pressure reading is ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure is ≥90 mmHg.
RISK FACTOR
Modifiable risk factors include an unhealthy diet (excessive salt consumption, a diet high in saturated and trans fats, low fruit and vegetable intake), physical inactivity, tobacco and alcohol consumption, and being overweight or obese. Non-modifiable risk factors include a family history of hypertension, age over 65 years and comorbidities such as diabetes or kidney disease.
SYMPTOM
Most people with hypertension do not experience any symptoms. Very high blood pressure can cause headaches, blurred vision, chest pain and other symptoms. Checking your blood pressure is the best way to find out whether you have high blood pressure or not. If hypertension is not treated, it can cause other health complications such as kidney disease, heart disease and stroke.
People with very high blood pressure (usually 180/120 or higher) may experience symptoms including:
- Severe headache
- Chest pain
- Dizzy
- Difficulty in breathing
- Nauseous
- Vomit
- Blurred vision or other vision changes
- Worry
- Confusion
- Ringing in ears
- Nosebleed
- abnormal heart rhythm
If you experience these symptoms and high blood pressure, seek help/treatment immediately.
The only way to detect hypertension is by consulting and examining your doctor. Although you can measure blood pressure yourself using an automated device, evaluation by a health professional (physician) is important for risk assessment and associated conditions.
TREATMENT
Lifestyle changes can help reduce high blood pressure. These include:
- Eat healthy and low salt foods
- Lose weight
- Do physical activity
- Quit smoking.
If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend one or more medications. The blood pressure target you will achieve depends on the other health conditions you have.
Target blood pressure is less than 130/80 if you have:
- cardiovascular disease (heart disease or stroke)
- diabetes (high blood sugar)
- chronic kidney disease
- high risk for cardiovascular disease.
For most people, the goal is to have a blood pressure of less than 140/90.
PREVENTION
Lifestyle changes can help reduce high blood pressure. Some people who have made lifestyle changes still need help by taking medication.
These lifestyle changes can help prevent and reduce high blood pressure and its complications.
By doing :
- Eat more vegetables and fruits.
- Sit less.
- Be more physically active, which can include walking, running, swimming, dancing or activities that build muscle strength, such as lifting weights.
(moderate intensity aerobic activity at least 150 minutes per week or vigorous aerobic activity 75 minutes per week, weight training 2 or more days per week). - Lose weight if you are overweight or obese.
- Take regular medication given by your doctor.
- Carry out routine (regular) checks with your doctor.
Don't:
- Eating too many salty foods (try to stay under 2 grams per day)
- Eat foods high in saturated or trans fats
- Smoking or using tobacco
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Forgetting to take medicine or sharing medicine.
Controlled high blood pressure (hypertension) will prevent heart attacks, strokes and kidney damage, as well as other health problems.
We can reduce the risk of hypertension by:
- reduce and manage stress
- regularly check blood pressure
- treat high blood pressure
- managing other medical conditions.
COMPLICATIONS OF UNCONTROLLED HYPERTENSION
Among other complications, hypertension can cause serious damage to the heart. Excessive pressure can cause stiffness of the arteries, reducing blood and oxygen flow to the heart. This high pressure and reduced blood flow can cause:
- chest pain, also called angina;
- heart attack, which occurs when the blood supply to the heart is blocked and heart muscle cells die due to lack of oxygen. The longer blood flow is blocked, the greater the damage to the heart;
- heart failure, which occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood and oxygen to other vital body organs; And
- irregular heartbeat that can cause sudden death.
Hypertension can also cause rupture or blocking of the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the brain, resulting in a stroke.
In addition, hypertension can also cause kidney damage, leading to kidney failure.
So it is very important to consult and check with a doctor to find out whether you have hypertension and its accompanying diseases (early detection) and prevent complications to the heart, brain and kidneys.
Article written by dr. Hengky Gosal, Sp.PD-KKV, FINASIM (Internal Medicine Specialist - Cardiovascular Consultant at EMC Alam Sutera Hospital).