HYPERTENSION- High Blood Pressure

Hello @everyone
@gidionline here again.
Today we are still discussing topics on health, precisely Hypertension- A silent killer
Please follow through.

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HYPERTENSION-A SILENT KILLER
Hypertension or high blood pressure, sometimes called arterial hypertension, is a chronic medical condition in which blood pressure in the arteries is increased or elevated. Blood pressure is summarized by two measurements, systolic and diastolic, which depends in weather the heart muscle is contracting (systolic) or relaxed between beats (diastolic). This equals the maximum and minimum pressure, respectively. Normal blood pressure at rest is within the range of 100^120 mmHg systolic (top reaching) and 60^80mmHg diastolic (bottom reading), thus high blood pressure is said to be present if it is often at or above 140^90mmHg.

Diagram Illustrating Blood Pressure Reading In mmHg
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Causes Of Hypertension
Primary hypertension is the most common for of hypertension, accounting for 90-95% of all cases of hypertension, in almost all contemporary societies, blood pressure rises with aging and the risk of becoming hypertensive later in life is considerable. Hypertension results from a complex interaction of genes and environmental factors, but the genetic basis of hypertension is still poorly understood. Several environmental factors influence blood pressure.
Hypertension is classified as either primary or secondary hypertension. About 90-95% of cases are categorized as primary hypertension which means high blood pressure with no obvious medical cause. The remaining 5-10% of cases is caused by other conditions that affects the kidney, arteries, heart or endocrine system.

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Stress appears to play a minor role, with specific relaxation techniques not supported by the evidence. Research has also shown that events in early life ie smoking, low birth weight, or lacknof breast feeding are risk factors for primary hypertension.

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While secondary hypertension results from an identifiable cause, Renal disease is the most common secondary cause if hypertension. Could also be caused by endocrine conditions such as Cushing syndrome, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, pheochromocytoma.,obesity, excessive alcohol consumption etc

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Signs And Symptoms
Hupetenyis rarely accpanied by any symptoms and its identification is usually screening or when seeking healthcare for an unreiproblen. A proportion of people with high blood pressure report headaches, particularly at the back of the head in the morning, as well as light headaches, vertigo tinnitus (bussing in the ear) , altered vision or fainting episodes. However other symptoms accompanying an hyperactive crisis may include visual deterioration or breathlessness due to heart failure or a general feeling of malaise due tirenal failure.
A Hypertensive emergency is diagnosed when there is evidence of direct damage robins or more organs as a result of severely elevated blood pressure greater thN 18.systolic or 120 diasyolic. This may include hypertensive encephalopathy, caused by brain swelling and dysfunction, and characterized by headaches and an altered level of consciousness. Rapid deterioration of kidney function (acute kidney injury) and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (destruction of blood cells), chest pains, breathless, cough and expectoration of blood stained sputum are symptoms of hypertension.

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Hypertension is the most important preventable risk factor for premature death worldwide. It increase the risk of ischemic heart disease, strokes, peripheral vascular diseases and other cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, aortic aneurysm, pulmunary embolism etc.
However, once you are diagnosed with hypertension, do not attempt self medication, rather talk to your doctor. The following would help prevent hypertension:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Eat a balanced diet
• Exercise regularly
• Monitor your blood pressure
• Cut back on salt
• Limit the alcohol

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The World Health Organisation (W. H. O), has identified hypertension or high blood pressure as the leading cause of cardiovascular mortality. With more than 50% of the hypertensive population worldwide being unaware of their condition, the 17th day of May is dedicated as World Hypertension Day.
On the 17th of May, @air-clinic (#acof), will be joining in carrying out awareness campaign and support programmes.
For more information and partnership, follow closely on this blog, or follow us on discord: https://discord.gg/zCFgCRj