Hypertension is commonly referred to as high blood pressure. It is a common condition, but it can be life-threatening if untreated. You may feel a light headache and discomfort, or sometimes you cannot feel any symptoms. This is why it is called the Silent Killer.

Cause of Hypertension

Risk for hypertension varies, while some are:

• High cholesterol level
• Overweight
• Genetics
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Unhealthy food
• High-salt intake
• Low water intake
• Alcohol intake
• Smoking
• Underline medical condition, e.g., kidney problems, etc.

These can be subsidized by following a healthy lifestyle: restricting salt intake, incorporating any physical activity, following a healthy diet plan, and increasing water intake.

 

How is a patient diagnosed with Hypertension?

If the BP is high on two consecutive/different days. Systolic BP reading is ≥140mmHg and diastolic reading is ≥90mmHg, so the patient is diagnosed with Hypertension. Therefore, understanding the numbers is very important, as blood pressure is mainly written in two numbers: the first number (systolic) is the calibration of pressure in the blood vessels when the heart beats. The second number (diastolic) is the calibration of pressure when the heart rests between two beats.

 Uncontrolled Hypertension and Health Threats

The uncontrolled Hypertension mainly leads to serious issues, including heart issues and stroke, etc.

Heart Disease:

• High blood pressure forces the heart to work harder, leading to potential damage.
• Hypertension can damage the inner lining of blood vessels, making them more susceptible to blockages, commonly known as coronary artery disease.
•  Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to heart failure, where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.
• High blood pressure can disrupt normal heart rhythms, leading to arrhythmias.

Stroke:

• Hypertension can damage blood vessels in the brain, increasing the risk of stroke.
• High blood pressure can cause blood clots to form, leading to ischemic strokes.
• Uncontrolled hypertension can cause blood vessels to rupture, leading to hemorrhagic strokes.

Myth and Facts associated with Hypertension

What to do to save ourselves?

Follow your body clock; circadian rhythm. Take balanced diet with low cholesterol level and have quality sleep to lower cortisol level. Studies found that impaired quality sleep strongly relate to hypertension. Minimize all the causative factors for hypertension which are discussed earlier and quit smoking to protect yourself from the disease called “silent killer”.

CONCLUSION:

Overall, risks of uncontrolled hypertension are heart diseases, stroke, kidney diseases and much more which are increasing day by day. Hypertension is called silent killer because it remains silent sometimes it is diagnosed with organ damage/organ failure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is hypertension, and what are the risks associated with uncontrolled hypertension?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition where the force of blood against the artery walls is too high. Uncontrolled hypertension can damage blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

 How does hypertension cause heart disease?

Hypertension can cause heart disease by damaging blood vessels and increasing the workload on the heart.

Can uncontrolled hypertension lead to stroke?

Yes, uncontrolled hypertension can lead to stroke, including Ischemic strokes and Hemorrhagic strokes.