2023-09-11 12:22:33
L’high blood pressure (HT) is the chronic disease the most common in the world… and one of the leading causes of premature death worldwide1 ! It corresponds to an abnormal increase in blood pressure on the wall of the arteries. This strong pressure will last over time. In Europe, the tension is considered optimal if it is less than 120/802.
Blood pressure: its role in the functioning of the cardiovascular system
In a stressful situation or during physical effort, In certain cases, it is normal for blood pressure to rise: when you play sports, when you are stressed… The problem is that in hypertensive people, blood pressure remains high at all times….
What causes hypertension?
In 90% of cases, high blood pressure is said to be essential hypertension because no cause explains its appearance. A multitude of factors accumulated over the years cause its appearance. Factors linked to age, heredity, lifestyle, etc. are particularly involved.
L’secondary hypertension appears most often from the age of 50 and develops in connection with another problem:
- Consequence of a renal or endocrine problem,
- Consequence of a genetic anomaly,
- Consequence of frequent use of various medications,
- Drug use…
Are there any risk factors?
If, most often, the causes of hypertension are unexplained, we have nevertheless identified certain risk factors favoring high blood pressure. Among them :
- obesity,
- A diet high in salt,
- A diet rich in fat,
- physical inactivity,
- smoking,
- alcohol abuse,
- the stress …
The problem? It is possible to suffer from high blood pressure but not feel any symptoms! Result ? It is estimated that 46% of adults with hypertension are unaware of it1 ! The problem is that if hypertension is not treated, the heart tires, the blood vessels become fragile and there are many complications…
Certain health concerns that can result from very high blood pressure can be considered symptoms of high blood pressure: headache accompanied by fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, nosebleeds, confusion, drowsiness, tingling, numbness, etc. But the only way to know if you are hypertensive is to have your blood pressure checked. Most often, the hypertension screening is thus achieved thanks to the control of blood pressure carried out during regular medical appointments, at least once a year (for example when you go to your GP).
Pour diagnose high blood pressurethe doctor will take the blood pressure:
- He can take it several times, to obtain a reliable average result. Sometimes, going into your doctor’s office causes stress leading to an increase in blood pressure (we speak of ‘white coat syndrome’), which can falsify the diagnosis, the doctor sometimes suggests that the patient take a blood pressure measurement. -even his blood pressure, using a blood pressure monitor that he will use at home.
- Blood pressure can also be measured using an ambulatory blood pressure monitor (ABPM) which records and measures blood pressure at specific times over a 24-hour period.
A person whose blood pressure is equal to or greater than 140/90 has high blood pressure (excluding adults taking medication to treat high blood pressure, diabetes or kidney disease).
High blood pressure: who is affected?
The frequency of hypertension increases with age. According to the World Health Organization, 30% of men and women 50% of women aged 65 to 751suffer from high blood pressure. However, we now observe that hypertension affects more and more young people. We observe a prevalence of high blood pressure chez :
- People aged 55 and over,
- People with a family history of early hypertension,
- people with certain illnesses such as diabetes, sleep apnea, kidney disease, etc.
If the situation does not improve, it is estimated that by 2025, the number of hypertensives in the world will have reached 1.56 billion people, an increase in prevalence of 60%.2.
Untreated high blood pressure, what are the risks?
In the long term, the possible complications of high blood pressure are numerous. By weakening blood vessels, high blood pressure increases the risk of:
- heart and vascular disorders (angina, myocardial infarction and stroke),
- Heart failure because if hypertension is not treated, the heart becomes tired and can become exhausted,
- Kidney problems,
- Eye problems…
Because hypertension has no symptoms, it is even nicknamed ‘silent killer’ …
High blood pressure: what treatment?
There is no treatment that can permanently cure high blood pressure. Lifestyle changes and, if necessary, antihypertensive medications aim to minimize the risk of developing cardiovascular and renal complications of high blood pressure.
- In case of’mild hypertensionadopting a better lifestyle can sometimes be enough.
- In case of’heavier hypertensionit is advisable to adopt a healthy lifestyle but the treatment is also accompanied by so-called antihypertensive medications whose aim is to artificially lower blood pressure to prevent possible damage to the organs (heart, brain, kidneys, eyes).
For most people, the goal is to have blood pressure below 140/90. But for people with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or at high risk of cardiovascular disease, blood pressure should be below 130/80.
Very widespread and underdiagnosed, it is nevertheless essential to prevent hypertension. For this it is necessary to:
- Have regular physical activity, at least 20 minutes, 4 to 7 times a week,
- Adopt good eating habits,
- Better fight against stress: chronic stress raises blood pressure and also damages the arteries and the heart,
- Monitor your consumption of salty foods: it is recommended to limit sodium intake to a maximum of 2,300 mg per day for this we limit foods that promote hypertension (prepared meals, cold meats, sauces, etc.)
- Consume foods rich in potassium,
- Moderate your alcohol consumption (maximum of 2 drinks per day for men, and 1 drink per day for women).
1. Hypertension, World Health Organization.
2. Worldwide epidemic of hypertension. Chockalingam A, Campbell NR, Fodor JG. Can J Cardiol. 2006 May 15;22(7):553-5.
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