Known as high blood pressure, hypertension is a chronic condition that can lead to heart disease and stroke.
Causative Agents:
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is not caused by a single agent but is the result of a combination of factors.
These can include genetic predisposition, unhealthy lifestyle choices (such as a high-salt diet, excessive alcohol consumption, and lack of physical activity), and certain underlying conditions (like chronic kidney disease, thyroid disorders, and sleep apnea).
Symptoms:
Most people with hypertension do not exhibit noticeable symptoms.
When symptoms do occur, they can include headaches, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, and flushing.
However, these symptoms are not specific and usually don’t occur until high blood pressure has reached a severe or life-threatening stage.
Diagnosis:
Hypertension is diagnosed through routine blood pressure measurements.
Diagnosis is typically made through blood pressure measurements.
Blood pressure is considered high if it is consistently at or above 130/80 mmHg.
Diagnosis may involve monitoring blood pressure readings over a period of time, assessing medical history, and conducting physical examinations or tests to rule out underlying conditions.
General Principles of Prevention and Control:
1. Lifestyle Modifications:
Encouraging a healthy diet (low in salt, saturated fats, and trans fats, and rich in fruits and vegetables), regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol intake, and quitting smoking.
2. Regular Screening:
Regular blood pressure checks to detect hypertension early.
3. Medication:
For those diagnosed with hypertension, medication may be prescribed in addition to lifestyle changes.
4. Manage Stress:
Stress management techniques can help in controlling blood pressure.
Treatment
Management includes lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, smoking cessation) and medications.
Common antihypertensive drugs include ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, diuretics, and calcium channel blockers.