On the 25th of August this year, the World Health Organization, WHO, published on its website an article which gives some alarming stats about one of the world most deadly silent killers, Hypertension.
Hypertension, otherwise known as elevated blood pressure, is a serious heart disease which seriously affects the brain, heart, kidney and other vital organs of the body; It is the number causes of premature death worldwide.
According to the statistics by the apex health organization, the disease may be more prevalent in crisis rock nations or low and middle-income countries than in developed nations and high happiness indexed countries.
The rate at which the incidence of hypertension is increasing is alarming as the number increase from 594 million in 1975 to 1.13 billion in 2015, with the increase seen largely in low- and middle-income countries. This increase is due mainly to a rise in hypertension risk factors in those populations.
The disease is known to kills silently that the victim may not see or feel its symptoms until its critical stage or even till death or stroke as most are asymptomatic.
The disease is disturbing and has necessitated calls for its awareness because while over two-third of the people with this sickness are in low-income country, about 46% of the adult living with it are unaware and only fifth take care of this sickness.
Although, this disease is deadly, it can be manage and prevented totally if adequate measures are taken.
What are common symptoms of hypertension?
There is no one single symptom peculiar to hypertension, but certain symptoms can be signs of the disease. They can include early morning headaches, nosebleeds, irregular heart rhythms, vision changes, and buzzing in the ears. Severe hypertension can cause fatigue, nausea, vomiting, confusion, anxiety, chest pain, and muscle tremors.
The only way to detect hypertension is to have a health professional measure blood pressure. Having blood pressure measured is quick and painless. Although individuals can measure their own blood pressure using automated devices, an evaluation by a health professional is important for assessment of risk and associated conditions.
What are the complications of uncontrolled hypertension?
According to W.H.O, among other complications, hypertension can cause serious damage to the heart. Excessive pressure can harden arteries, decreasing the flow of oxygenated blood to the heart. This elevated pressure and reduced blood flow can cause:
Chest pain, also called angina.
Heart attack, which occurs when the blood supply to the heart is blocked and heart muscle cells die from lack of oxygen. The longer the blood flow is blocked, the greater the damage to the heart.
Heart failure, which occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood and oxygen to other vital body organs.
Irregular heart beat which can lead to a sudden death.
Hypertension can result to stroke when the arteries leading to the brain bursts or blocks.
Prevention
One good thing about hypertension is that it can be easily prevented if one lives a healthy life.
- Reducing salt intake (to less than 5g daily).
- Eating more fruit and vegetables.
- Being physically active on a regular basis.
- Avoiding use of tobacco.
- Reducing alcohol consumption.
- Limiting the intake of foods high in saturated fats.
- Eliminating/reducing trans fats in diet.
Management
However deadly hypertension could be, it can be managed if the following measures are taken:
- Reducing and managing stress.
- Regularly checking blood pressure.
- Treating high blood pressure.
- Managing other medical conditions.
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