Minor adjustments can have a significant impact when it comes to controlling blood pressure. Begin by opting for wholesome decisions daily.
—— Blaire Burdette
Hypertension typically does not present with striking signs. It is frequently referred to as the “silent threat,” gradually affecting numerous individuals without detection. Due to the absence of clear indicators, it harms the body quietly, usually leading to severe outcomes that become impossible to overlook when left uncontrolled.
This piece seeks to examine the present state of affairs and highlight several typical difficulties associated with inadequate control of hypertension, aiming to educate and assist you.
A Hidden Danger Visible to All
As per the WHO’s 2023 publication, approximately 1.28 billion adults aged 30 to 79 worldwide live with high blood pressure, but almost half remain uninformed about their condition. Among individuals who have been identified as having this issue, just 21% manage to keep it regulated, underscoring the challenge posed by uncontrolled hypertension.
What Makes Numerous Individuals Vulnerable to Health Issues
Even with extensive public education efforts, various reasons result in inadequate detection and treatment of high blood pressure. The absence of noticeable symptoms causes numerous individuals to remain unaware they have the condition.
Among people who have received a diagnosis, several fail to follow their prescribed medications as they think they “feel well.” Despite being diagnosed, many maintain diets rich in salt, consume large amounts of alcohol, smoke, and lead inactive lives, all of which can make the illness worse.
In numerous areas with limited resources, obtaining medical care is uncommon. This often renders routine examinations and treatments too costly for most people, resulting in poor adherence. A second, rarely mentioned cause of non-adherence is the occurrence of unpleasant side effects.
Certain blood pressure drugs can lead to adverse reactions such as lightheadedness, quick exhaustion, an ongoing dry cough, edema in the arms and legs along with facial puffiness, difficulty achieving erections, or headaches, which may deter patients from continuing their treatment.
The Ripple Effect of Disregard
High blood pressure often triggers a series of adverse effects, causing blood vessel walls to become rigid and less elastic. When combined with the buildup of fatty deposits inside these vessels, this results in decreased delivery of oxygenated blood to essential organs such as the brain, heart, and kidneys, leading to severe outcomes.
Such outcomes stem from continuous pressure on blood vessels, causing either accumulation of cholesterol plaques in injured arteries or physical harm to artery walls, resulting in decreased strength. Weakened arteries can burst or develop balloon-like expansions called aneurysms, which might also eventually break open. In the end, this reduces circulation to essential organs, limiting their supply of oxygenated blood.
These effects vary depending on which area of the body is affected. In the brain, a rapid decrease in blood supply leads to severe disabilities called strokes. A stroke can appear in various forms but often causes loss of movement on one side of the body. It may also take away someone’s ability to speak, swallow, think clearly, and live independently all at once.
Within the heart, consistently elevated blood pressure caused by the aforementioned processes can result in issues like heart attacks and ultimately lead to heart failure due to reduced blood supply to the cardiac muscle.
Kidneys can also suffer harm due to high blood pressure, resulting in reduced function because they require steady blood circulation. High blood pressure that isn’t managed can also impact regions such as the eyes, causing blurry sight and eventually total loss of vision.
Struggling Against: Prevention and Management
However, the key reality is this: this unwanted visitor can be controlled, and perhaps even prevented from entering, provided we stay alert. Routine monitoring of blood pressure, following recommended treatments, and making basic lifestyle adjustments like cutting down on sodium consumption, keeping a balanced weight, engaging in regular physical activity, and controlling stress, can determine whether someone enjoys an enriching life or faces premature ending due to avoidable issues.
A Call to Action
High blood pressure is very prevalent yet must never be taken lightly. It is more than just a figure on your medical record; it is a power that, if ignored, can disrupt the base of good health.
In today’s hectic world, one fact remains evident: hypertension must not be a surprise we choose to overlook. Much like an unwanted visitor, the earlier we identify it and establish strict limits, the simpler it becomes to manage, and the lesser harm it can inflict. We hold the key to preventing its effects within ourselves.
Credits
-
Hypertension.
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension -
Ten useful everyday suggestions to enhance cardiovascular well-being | Heart | Prevention | UT Southwestern Medical Center.
https://utswmed.org/medblog/heart-health-tips-habits/
About the Writer
Dr. (Med) \xa0ASARE
Is a physician who completed his education at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). He now works at COY Paediatric Practice in Tema. His areas of interest are cardiology and communicating public health issues. Additionally, he is an accomplished guitarist and musician who blends his passion for music with his medical career during off-hours or when relaxing.
Supplied by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
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