Hypertension
Hypertension
High blood pressure (the silent killer) is known for the force of blood pushing through the blood vessels. Where the heart works harder and the blood vessels have more pressure; Which makes it a risk factor for heart disease and stroke, and the amount of pressure is determined by the amount of blood pumped by the heart and the amount of resistance of the arteries to the force of blood flow and flow.
When the heart beats, it creates pressure that pushes blood through the blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries). This pressure is the result of two forces:
- The force with which the heart pumps blood throughout the body.
- Blood pressure that occurs between heartbeats.
Each of them is represented by readings as follows:
| Systolic upper number (mmHg) | Lower diastolic number (mmHg) | Blood pressure class |
|---|---|---|
|
Less than 120
|
Less than 80
|
Ideal blood pressure
|
|
120 - 129
|
80 - 84
|
natural
|
|
130-139
|
85 - 89
|
Pre-hypertension stage
|
|
140 - 159
|
90 - 99
|
High blood pressure (stage 1)
|
|
160 - 179
|
100 - 109
|
High blood pressure (stage 2)
|
|
Higher than 180
|
Higher than 110
|
High blood pressure (stage 3)
|
When blood pressure is too high for a long time, it damages blood vessels; Harmful cholesterol begins to accumulate on the walls of the artery, and this increases the workload of the circulatory system while reducing its efficiency.
Risk factors:
- Genetics
- Getting older
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Psychological stress
- Too much salt
- Chronic diseases: such as diabetes and others
- Lack of physical activity
Symptoms:
- headache
- shortness of breath
- Nosebleeds
- But these signs and symptoms are not specific and usually do not occur until high blood pressure reaches a serious or life-threatening stage
Complications:
- Aneurysm
- brain attack
- Heart failure
- heart attack
- Kidney failure
- Vision loss (blindness)
- Impotence
- Problems with memory and concentration
Diagnosis:
- Family history
- Medical history
- Follow blood pressure readings
- Laboratory tests
treatment:
- Based on the diagnosis, a treatment plan will be developed that includes:
- A change in lifestyle, such as: practicing physical activity (at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week), and following a healthy diet.
- Medications to control high blood pressure
protection:
- A healthy lifestyle is one of the most important ways to prevent and control blood pressure, as it includes:
- Doing physical activity
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Follow a healthy diet
- Control anxiety and stress
- stop smoking
- Reducing caffeine intake
When measuring blood pressure you should:
- Check the accuracy of the device
- Measure your blood pressure twice a day, and repeat the process two or more times to ensure the results are correct
- Do not measure blood pressure immediately after waking up
- تجنب تناول الطعام أو التدخين قبل القياس بمدة 30 دقيقة
- Sit quietly before and during the measurement for 5 minutes in a comfortable position, with the legs and ankles relaxed, and the back resting on the chair, and not speaking during the measurement.
- Make sure the arm is in the correct position
- The bracelet should be placed directly on the skin and not on clothing
- Take the reading more than once and record it in your notebook
- You should not stop taking the medication when your blood pressure readings are at a normal level
Diet:
- The permissible limit for salt intake is 6 grams per day, which is equivalent to one teaspoon
- Limit the consumption of canned food, pickles, and processed meat because they contain a large percentage of salt
- To enhance the flavor of food, it is recommended to add garlic, spices and herbs instead of salt
- Reduce caffeine intake to less than 5 cups per day
- Eat plenty of fish rich in omega-3, at least twice a week, such as tuna, sardines, and salmon.
