The Hypertension Predicament

Gone were those days in which diabetes, cardiac failure and stroke were diseases associated with older people, nowadays, hospitals record juvenile deaths resulting from these conditions.
Today, I'll talking about one of these disease by the name hypertension. It is a fast killer especially when not detected earlier for it to be controlled.

^{A sphygomanometer is an instrument used in checking the pressure of the blood within the vessels of the body; the values derived with this instrument can help deduce is a patient is hypertensive or not.}

Hypertension is a condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is continuously raised. It is also the force exerted by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels. This scenero can be likened to a thin pipe accommodating higher pressure than it is designed to take, you can imagine what will happen; an explosion, a disembodiment of the pipe's material. This is what often times happen in the body, if it occur in regions such as around the brain, it could lead to insanity or stroke. Hypertension puts risk on many vital organs of the body such as the kidney, lungs, brain, liver, heart and the entire cardiovascular system, and it can also be a potential risk in a pregnant woman.

Adults normal blood pressure ranges from 100-130mmhg [systolic] and for diastolic it ranges from 60-80mmhg. People that are more likely to develop high blood pressure are, smokers, African –Americans, people above the age of 35, people who are not active and people with sleep apnea.

Blood pressure is measured by an instrument known as sphygmomanometer or by a more modern instrument known as the blood pressure monitor. The diagnosis of hypertension requires several readings that show high blood pressure as time goes. The readings are:

• The systolic reading: The systolic reading of about 130mmhg refers to the pressure as the heart pumps blood around the body.
• The diastolic reading: The diastolic reading of 80mmhg refers to the pressure as the heart relaxes and refills with blood.

Classification High Blood Pressure

Depending on certain factors, hypertension can be classified into two, these include:

• Primary high blood pressure
• Secondary high blood pressure

Primary hypertension: This is a result of complex interactions of genes and environmental factors. Some common genetic variants with small effects on blood pressure have being identified, also some rare genetic variants with large effect on blood pressure.
The genome-wide association [GWAS], studies have identified 35 genetic loci related
to blood pressure, 12 of these genetic loci affecting blood pressure were newly found .Sentinel [SNP],for each new genetic loci identified as shown with the DNA methylation at multiple nearby Cpg sites.

These sentinel are found within the genes related to vascular smooth muscle and renal function DNA methylation might affect in some ways linking common genetic variation to multiple phenotypes even though their mechanisms underlying these associations are not understood .blood pressure rises as we age and the risk of becoming hypertensive in the future is considerable. Various environmental factors influence blood pressure; high salt intake raises the blood sensitivity of an individual, lack of exercise, obesity and depression may play a role in an individual case. There are also possible role of other factors such as caffeine consumption and vitamin D deficiency.

Secondary hypertension: It results from a noticeable cause. The kidney diseases is the most common secondary cause of hypertension , it could also be caused by endocrine conditions such as hyperaldosteronism, acromegaly, fibromuscular, hyperthyrodism, hypothyroidism,hyperparathyroidism and pheochromocytoma. Other causes include obesity, pregnancy,sleep apnea, coarction of the aorta, excessive eating of liquorice, excessive drinking of alcohol and illegal drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine.

Symptoms of Hypertension

An individual with hypertension feel any symptoms of it, but if not detected quickly it could cause damage to the cardiovascular system and internal organs[kidneys]. If the blood pressure reaches a chronic stage, the individual may suffer headaches and nose bleeds. Hypertension not quickly treated can cause complications through altherosclerosis, while the formation of plaque results to the narrowing of blood vessels. At this stage, it has become worse because the heart must pump harder to deliver blood to the body. Hypertension related altherosclerosis can lead to;

1. Stroke
2. Kidney failure
3. Amputation
4. Aneurysm
5. Heart failure
6. Hypertensive retinopathies in the eye , that can lead to blindness

Factors increasing Hypertension:

The following are factors that increases the risk of developing hypertension.
I. Excessive salt intake
II. High body weight
III. Smoking
IV. Taking too much of alcohol
V. Drugs
VI. Stress and anxiety
VII. A diet low in vitamin D
VIII. Not being physically active

Other prominent risk factor include family history of the disease, high blood cholesterol and obesity as well as diabetes.

Ways of reducing the risk of hypertension

• Reducing the amount of consumption of sodium[salt]
• Molderate drinking of alcohol
• Consumption of more fruit, vegetables and less fat
• Maintaining a good body weight

Treatment for a Hypertensive Patient

Blood pressure is best regulated through diet before reaching hypertension stage and regular health checks. Patients with hypertension are advised by the doctor to engage in 30 minutes of moderate-intensity, dynamic and aerobic exercise. This may include cycling, jogging, swimming and other physical exercise, but should be done on at least 5 to 7 days of the week. The use of alcohol, drugs, smoking, eating on unhealthy food will contribute to hypertensive problems. All these should be avoided. Patients with higher blood pressure than 130, 80 may use medication to treat hypertension. The drugs are usually taken gradually at a low dose. Side effects associated with antihypertensive drugs are usually minor. Ranges of drug types are available to help lower blood pressure, this include; diuretics, beta-blockers and alpha blockers,calcium-channelblockers, central agonists,peripheral adrenergic inhibitor, vasodilators, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and the angiotensin receptor blockers. This choice of drugs depends on the patients and any other conditions they may have.

Further Reading:

• ^{Hypertension: Wikipedia}
• ^{Hypertension Mayoclininc}
• ^{Hypertension in Nigeria}

Image Source:

^{All images are under CC0 licences and are free for public usage including for commercial purposes.}