Hello kontri people, wetin be high blood pressure (hypertension)? How you go fit prevent or control am? As you prepare for christms, e good make you get dis correct health informate. We bin see one video of a TV interview for social media wey one “Nurse” wey calim to be CEO of a pharmacy bin talk plenty rubbish and lies about hypertension.
The truth be say hypertension of high BP no dey come from overthinking and e dey very rare for small pikin dem. And na silent killer because e no dey show for face until complication don start. Medical experts never find di actual cause of over 90% of cases of hypertension but some risk factors wey fit make am happen more likely dey. Plenty intake of salt, tobacco smoking, plenty drinking of alcohol na some of the things wey fit increase chances of someone having hypertension. Heart failure, stroke and chest pain (nagina) na some of the complications.
See below as WHO take use grammar explannate about this disease wey don kill plenty people all over di world.
What is hypertension?
Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of the body’s arteries, the major blood vessels in the body. Hypertension is when blood pressure is too high.
Blood pressure is written as two numbers. The first (systolic) number represents the pressure in blood vessels when the heart contracts or beats. The second (diastolic) number represents the pressure in the vessels when the heart rests between beats.
Hypertension is diagnosed if, when it is measured on two different days, the systolic blood pressure readings on both days is ≥140 mmHg and/or the diastolic blood pressure readings on both days is ≥90 mmHg.
What are the risk factors for hypertension?
Modifiable risk factors include unhealthy diets (excessive salt consumption, a diet high in saturated fat and trans fats, low intake of fruits and vegetables), physical inactivity, consumption of tobacco and alcohol, and being overweight or obese. Non-modifiable risk factors include a family history of hypertension, age over 65 years and co-existing diseases such as diabetes or kidney disease.
What are common symptoms of hypertension?
Hypertension is called a “silent killer”. Most people with hypertension are unaware of the problem because it may have no warning signs or symptoms. For this reason, it is essential that blood pressure is measured regularly.
What are the complications of uncontrolled hypertension?
Among other complications, hypertension can cause serious damage to the heart. Excessive pressure can harden arteries, decreasing the flow of blood and oxygen 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 also burst or block arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the brain, causing a stroke. In addition, hypertension can cause kidney damage, leading to kidney failure.
How can the burden of hypertension be reduced?
Reducing hypertension prevents heart attack, stroke, and kidney damage, as well as other health problems.
Prevention
- 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
Reducing and managing stress.
Regularly checking blood pressure.
Treating high blood pressure.
Managing other medical conditions.
Source: WHO website
