Why Hypertension?
Introduction:
Quick Visualization
What will happen if you placed a glass (bottle) of coke in a freezer and forgot to bring it out for, lets say a couple of weeks?
Answer: From my experience you sure would expect two things; it is either the bottle would be frozen within this time frame or already burst, due to one factor which is the build-up of pressure or increased tension in the bottle of coke.
There are definitely activities and various daily engagements as we live our individual lives that could affect our cells, organs and system sooner than later. Hence, we must change our ideology and imbibe a renewal of our perception towards tension building factors that may affect our cardiovascular system.
The "heart" and "blood vessels" seem to be the most affected of all when it comes to "hypertension". It is worthy of note that hypertension cannot be cured, it can only be managed. It is also a risk factor for many other cardiovascular disorders and is the most trending cardiovascular disease all around the world as of today. The opposite of hypertension is "hypotension".
Of all the continents, Africa has a severely prevalent rate of hypertension, according to research, women as early as at the age of forty-five years and males as at the age of thirty-eight already begin to battle this disease. Hypertension can be hereditary.
Definition:
Hypertension is an abnormally or excessively increased arterial blood pressure that is usually indicated by an adult systolic blood pressure between 130 - 140 mm Hg or greater and or diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or more.
Hypertension is chiefly of unknown cause rather, it might be linked to some common underlining condition such as renal or hormonal disorders, that obviously results in the "thickening" and "Lack of elasticity" of arterial walls and or the "hypertrophy" of the left heart ventricle. Hypertension serves as a risk factor for other various pathological conditions or events such as heart attack, heart failure, stroke, end-stage renal disease, and infact retinal haemorrhage.
Some signs pointing to hypertension include the following;
Hypertension could be a systemic condition that is characterized by either a symptomless or episodes of symptomatic presentations such as;
• Frequent feeling of dizziness
• Regular and recurrent heart palpitations
• sudden faintings
• severe Headaches
Whereas, in severe conditions the following might occur;
• Migraine
• Insomnia, restlessness and associated anxiety
• abnormal rise in respiratory rate
• Breathing rate and force aggravation
• Blood pressure escalates than usual
• Twitches of the eyes, ears and for some parts the toes or fingers
• Abnormal burning sensations sometimes around head, hands, legs and eyes intermittently
• Generalized body weakness and pain
• Swellings around the joints and lower extremities in some cases
• Cardiac arrest or heart attacks
• Stroke or cerebrovascular accidents
• Transient Ischemic attack
• Sometimes slurred speech
• Difficulties in swallowing and asphyxia
• Irregular pulses and heartbeats sounds remain incoherent
• Loss of consciousness or coma
Major Classifications of Hypertension
•Type I Hypertension( characterized by a systolic pressure between 130__139 mmHg and a diastolic pressure between 90_99 mmHg)
•Type II Hypertension( characterized by a systolic pressure between 140_149 mmHg and a diastolic pressure between 100_109 mmHg)
•Type III Hypertension ( characterized by a systolic pressure between 150_159 mmHg and a diastolic pressure between (110_120 mmHg)
•Severe Hypertension ( characterized by a systolic pressure above 160 mmHg and a diastolic pressure above 120 mmHg)
The most commonly reported cases of Hypertension which has been recorded and proven by various study is either Type I or II Hypertension.
Hypertension is detected while the blood pressure seems abnormally high or beyond the normal range as stated above using the manual or electronic sphygmomanometer and or a stethoscope. The sphygmomanometer is made of various types of components, yet over time, the mercury sphygmomanometer has been the most certifiable based on its accuracy and reliability.
Types of Hypertension
1. Primary or Essential Hypertension
This occurs in the absence of any evident cause, physiologically speaking, there is an insidous increase in peripheral resistance of the vessels. Risk factors associated to primary hypertension include the following but not limited to; family history hyperstion, high salt consumption, obesity and or emotional stress. Some school or thought call it and sometimes refers to it also as Idiopathic (of unknown cause) hypertension.
2. White coat Hypertension
This refers to the temporary initial surge in a patient's blood pressure that is directly linked to the patient's anxiety. I have personally experienced at least two patients in my clinical days that had white coat effect or syndrome. Their Blood pressure was so high while they went calm, it was normal, that day it really seemed like magic to me. Alot of patients that hate hospital settings have this phobic experience.
3. Gestational Hypertension
This is common to pregnant women hypertension should normally resolve majorly after child delivery but might persist in some women as a pathological condition causing much more harm than good. It is said to be rampant among obese women and afew of them living with underlining cases of "Diabetes".
4. Secondary Hypertension
This is or are type(s) of Hypertension linked to pre-existing conditions such as the following; aldosteronism and thyroid dysfunctions.
Causes of Hypertension
There are two major domains of classifying causes of hypertension i.e modifiable and non-modifiable causes.
A. Modifiable causes of hypertension( i.e that cause of hypertension that can be avoided or prevented), hence, the modifiable causes of hypertension include the following yet are not limited to;
• Obesity or over-weight
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Excessive alcoholic consumption
• Substance abuse
• Excessive salt and or sugar consumption
• Eating excessively spiced or peppery food.
Non-modifiable causes of hypertension (i.e that cause of hypertension that can not be avoided or prevented) hence, non-modifiable causes of hypertension include the following but not limited to;
• Age, as age increases the tendency of being hypertensive is at its peak
• Family linked history of hypertension i.e hypertension could be hereditary. Hence, a child whose parents are both hypertensive most likely would end up becoming hypertensive according to research.
Remember! check your blood pressure regularly, do not ignore the initial signs; Try reading between the lines, hypertension is a silent killer
"Stay healthy, eat healthy, and please stay away from the silent killer high Hypertension"
Thanks for reading, Sayonara ✌️
References/Resources
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