High blood pressure, or hypertension, is called a “silent killer”. The crude comparison, but, unfortunately, justified, because at the beginning of the disease, a person may, for a long time, not to feel any symptoms. Approximately 46% of adults with the hypertension do not know they have it. (1)
Blood pressure rises slowly over time, and it is not always clear what causes this disease, but it is known that the risk of hypertension is increased by:
- unhealthy diet (high salt intake and low intake of fruits and vegetables);
- tobacco and alcohol use;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- excessive weight or obesity;
- history of hypertension in family members;
- age over 65;
- other pre-existing diseases such as diabetes or kidney failure.
The damage which high blood pressure causes to the circulatory system is significant. The untreated hypertension can have very serious consequences – heart attack, stroke, cardiac arrest, kidney failure, vision loss or sexual dysfunction.
Don’t wait for the bad consequences and check Your blood pressure! Approximately 1.28 billion adults worldwide suffer from the hypertension. (1)
High blood pressure cannot be completely cured, but it can be controlled by changing lifestyle and, if necessary, medication
Tips to prevent the hypertension:
- Healthy eating is very important, reduce your salt intake and eat more fruits and vegetables!
- Reduce your alcohol intake and stop smoking!
- Regular exercises not only lower the blood pressure, but also help to lose the excessive weight.
References
1. World Health Organization. [Online] 25 August 2021. [Quoted: 20 June 2022.] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension.