Surjit Singh Flora
The term “silent killer” refers to the fact that hypertension often manifests itself without any obvious indications or symptoms occurring. In the event that it is not under control, it might result in major problems such as heart disease and stroke. Changes in lifestyle and regular monitoring of blood pressure are essential components in the management of hypertension. If you want specialized advice, you should talk to a healthcare practitioner.
May 17th marks the annual celebration of World Hypertension Day. This global awareness initiative seeks to educate and increase awareness about hypertension, including its prevention and management. Participating in events and campaigns on this day can help raise awareness for heart health on a global scale.
The World Hypertension League has declared “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, and Live Longer” as the World Hypertension Day theme for 2024.
High blood pressure is a problem that many people are suffering from these days. Rapidly changing lifestyle and wrong eating habits are making people prone to many problems nowadays, one of which is high blood pressure. It is commonly called the silent killer because the person suffering from it is often unaware of its symptoms.
However, it is very important to recognize it because high BP can lead to many serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, etc. In such a situation, with the aim of spreading awareness about this problem, World Hypertension Day (World Hypertension Day 2024) is observed on 17 May every year. On this occasion, in this article, we will tell you about 6 such hidden symptoms of high blood pressure, with the help of which you can identify hypertension.
If symptoms do arise, they may manifest as early morning headaches, nosebleeds, irregular heart rhythms, vision changes, and buzzing in the ears. Severe hypertension may lead to symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, vomiting, confusion, anxiety, chest pain, and muscle tremors. It’s important to note that high blood pressure often goes unnoticed, as it typically doesn’t present any warning signs or symptoms. Consequently, a significant number of individuals remain unaware of their condition. It is essential to measure your blood pressure in order to determine if you have high blood pressure.
High blood pressure, often known as hypertension, is a disorder that is defined by a pressure of the blood on the walls of the arteries that is persistently greater than what is considered normal throughout periods of time. It is believed that more than one billion individuals throughout the globe are affected by this condition, which is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke. However, it is thought that high blood pressure is the consequence of a mix of variables that might include lifestyle, genetics, and environmental factors. The specific cause of high blood pressure is unclear yet. Some aspects of one’s lifestyle might be a contributor to high blood pressure. An unhealthy diet, a lack of physical exercise, smoking, and drinking an excessive amount of alcohol are all factors that might raise the likelihood of developing hypertension. It is possible that a poor diet might raise the risk by encouraging the accumulation of plaque in the arteries. Plaque can cause the arteries to become more constricted, which in turn can contribute to a rise in blood pressure. Additionally, consuming an excessive amount of salt may contribute to a rise in blood pressure by causing the body to retain fluid, which in turn can result in an increase in the volume of blood that is flowing through the arteries.
One of the factors that might contribute to high blood pressure is genetics. An elevation in blood pressure may be the result of a particular genetic mutation or abnormality. Furthermore, some racial and ethnic groups, as well as families, may have a higher probability of getting hypertension, which may be the result of specific hereditary variables.
Last but not least, environmental variables are another potential contributor to high blood pressure. Certain pollutants, such as air pollution, may be a contributor to an increased chance of developing hypertension. Another factor that might contribute to an increased likelihood of developing hypertension is the presence of certain medical diseases, such as renal disease.
There are other risk factors that might increase the likelihood of developing hypertension, in addition to the existing risk factors. Some of these factors include age, gender, color, and the history of the family. As one gets older, the likelihood of developing hypertension also rises, making aging a significant risk factor. Men are more prone to acquire hypertension than women, which is another aspect that plays a role in the condition. The fact that African Americans are more prone to suffer from hypertension than people of other races is moreover a factor that may play a role. Lastly, a history of hypertension in the family might also be a factor that increases the risk. The illness known as high blood pressure is a severe one that, if left untreated, may result in potentially life-threatening health repercussions. In order to lower your risk, it is essential to be aware of the variables that put you at risk and to take measures to mitigate those risks. These measures include leading a healthy lifestyle, eating a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and avoiding smoking and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. In addition to this, it is essential to schedule regular checkups with your physician in order to accurately monitor your blood pressure and ensure that any underlying medical disorders are being treated in the appropriate manner.
Vision problems: High blood pressure causes long-term damage to the blood pressure in the eyes, which can cause blurred vision, double vision or sudden vision loss. High BP can also damage the retina, which is called hypertensive retinopathy. If left untreated, it can lead to serious vision problems.
Bleeding from the nose: It’s not common, but in some people, frequent nosebleeds can be a sign of high blood pressure. Due to high blood pressure, the small, delicate blood vessels in the nose can burst more easily, leading to frequent nosebleeds.
Difficulty in breathing: High blood pressure can put strain on your heart because high BP makes it harder for your heart to pump blood easily. This can cause fluid to accumulate in the lungs and cause difficulty breathing.
Fatigue: Constant fatigue can also be a sign of high blood pressure. This happens because hypertension affects the heart’s ability to pump blood properly, reducing the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain and other vital organs.
Irregular heartbeat: An irregular or fast heartbeat, called an arrhythmia, can be a sign of high blood pressure. The heart rhythm may be abnormal because the heart has to work harder to pump blood.
What are the risks associated with high blood pressure?
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is often referred to as the “silent killer.” This indicates that it lacks any noticeable symptoms and can remain untreated for an extended period, resulting in various significant health hazards. When left untreated, a blood pressure reading of 180/120 or higher can lead to a significant risk of mortality within a year, typically resulting in an average survival time of around ten months. If left untreated, high blood pressure can have serious consequences such as heart attack, stroke, blindness, and kidney disease.
Time to say goodbye to the past
Since 2003, the guidelines for diagnosing and treating high blood pressure have been:
Average: below 120/80 mm Hg
Pre-hypertensive individuals have systolic blood pressure readings between 120-139 or diastolic readings between 80-89. This falls under stage 1 hypertension. Hypertension is classified as stage 2 when the systolic blood pressure ranges from 140-159 or the diastolic blood pressure ranges from 90-99. Hypertension is diagnosed when the systolic blood pressure is 160 or higher, or the diastolic blood pressure is 100 or higher.
Hypertensive crisis occurs when the systolic blood pressure reaches 180 or higher, or the diastolic blood pressure reaches 110 or higher.
The guidelines were revised in November 2017 by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology. Here are the following:
Normal blood pressure is typically less than 120/80 mm Hg, while elevated blood pressure refers to higher readings. With a systolic reading between 120-129 and a diastolic reading less than 80, this falls into the stage 1 category. Hypertension is diagnosed when the systolic blood pressure is between 130-139 or the diastolic blood pressure is between 80-89. This falls under stage 2 hypertension. Hypertension is characterized by a systolic blood pressure of at least 140 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure of at least 90 mm Hg.
This condition, known as hypertensive crisis, occurs when the systolic blood pressure exceeds 180 and/or the diastolic blood pressure exceeds 120. In such cases, patients may require immediate adjustments to their medication if there are no other indications of issues. However, if there are signs of organ damage, immediate hospitalization is necessary.
What sets them apart?
One notable change in the guidelines is the removal of the “pre-hypertension” category. Research studies have revealed that complications may arise even when blood pressure is within the range of 130-139 over 80-89.
The categories have been modified by the new guidelines. The readings that were once considered pre-hypertension are now classified as stage I hypertension. By taking action sooner, individuals can receive treatment that may prevent further rises in blood pressure and reduce the risk of developing more severe complications linked to hypertension.
What is the significance of falling into the new guidelines?
This new set of guidelines is expected to result in approximately 14 percent of the population being categorized as having hypertension. It is worth noting that a significant portion of these individuals may be younger in age. Nevertheless, only a small fraction will necessitate the use of medication. People who are now classified as hypertensive will be provided with more proactive prevention interventions, such as making changes to their lifestyle.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice
(The writer is a veteran journalist and freelance writer based in Brampton).