Hypertension 101: Causes, Risks, and Prevention Strategies - Dr Koulsoum Houssein

Understanding Blood Pressure and Hypertension

Blood pressure is the force of blood flowing in the walls of the arteries. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is the condition of consistently elevated blood pressure, which contributes to the increase of vascular diseases.

Hypertension is an important public health problem, contributing to the cause of premature deaths in the whole world and posing as the leading risk factor for disease burden in India.

Risks of Hypertension

The primary adverse risks of hypertension are increased incidence of stroke (35 to 40%), heart attack (20 to 25%), and heart failure (>50%). Therefore, blood pressure needs to be controlled at an adequate and safe level.

Medical research has established that a blood pressure at or above 140/90mmHg in an adult above 18 years of age is considered hypertension.

Causes of Hypertension

So, what causes hypertension? Some of the main causes include extra blood volume, which is largely influenced by salt intake. The second cause is narrowing of blood vessels caused by cholesterol deposits along the internal lining of the arteries.

Other causes include age and genetic factors, which make the arteries stiff and rigid, thereby causing hypertension. Other common causes include uncontrolled diabetes and dyslipidemia.

Both these diseases cause damage to the inner walls of the blood vessels, raising the pressure on them. In addition, it has been discovered that stress increases adrenaline, resulting in increased heartbeat and high pressure in the arteries.

Secondary Causes of Hypertension

In 5 to 10% of cases, hypertension is secondary to specific hormonal, vascular, or renovascular diseases. The most common such disease is sleep apnoea. Detecting and treating the primary disease can help prevent secondary hypertension.

Preventing Hypertension

Fortunately, hypertension can be prevented most of the time. Although non-modifiable factors such as age, gender, race, and genetic factors cannot be changed, there are simple and effective ways to work on modifiable factors and maintain a healthy blood pressure level.

1. Diet

Limit salt intake to less than 1 teaspoon a day. Understand hidden salt in processed and canned foods, pickles, and commercial pre-cooked meals. Hydrate by drinking water and focusing on fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and fibres, nuts, legumes, and lean proteins. Avoid fried, oily, and fast foods, alcohol, refined carbohydrates, and packaged and canned goods.

2. Manage Obesity

Weight loss in patients with hypertension reduces blood pressure in most cases. Keeping a healthy weight through diet and exercise is the best way to prevent hypertension.

3. Physical Activity

About 34% of hypertension in populations can be prevented by moving to higher physical activity and fitness levels. Perform at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity or an equivalent combination of both, per week.

4. Stress Management

Psychosocial stress can cause hypertension. Yoga and meditation are great de-stressing techniques. Make time during the day to do deep breathing exercises, and do things that make you happy and relaxed.

5. Sleep Apnoea

Individuals who snore at night and appear sleepy during the day should be checked for sleep apnoea and treated appropriately. Having a regular sleeping schedule and an environment conducive to sleep will prevent sleep apnoea.

6. Medication

If lifestyle changes alone are not adequate to maintain normal blood pressure, add medications. Develop a coordinated treatment plan with your doctor.

7. Medical Check-Ups

Your doctor will always look for secondary causes of hypertension if it is still uncontrolled despite adequate measures being taken. Regular health check-ups can help identify hypertension early, preventing long-term damage.

Hypertension is one of the significant public health concerns today, but still, it is preventable and controllable. It is through such simple lifestyle adjustments that a person can lower their risk of acquiring this disease while maintaining a normal blood pressure level.

Remember that prevention is key, and no matter how young or old one is, he or she must start changing into a healthy lifestyle.