Understanding Hypertension Prevention and Treatment of Complications

Understanding Hypertension

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a chronic condition in which the blood pressure in the artery wall (vascular net) increased. This condition is known as "the silent killer" because it rarely has obvious symptoms. The only way to tell if you have hypertension is to measure blood pressure.

If you have not checked out and do not know your blood pressure, ask your doctor to check it. All adults should check their blood pressure at least every five years.

Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) in 2013 showed that people with hypertension are aged over 18 years reached 25.8 per cent of the total population of Indonesia. Of that number, patient hipretensi 6 percent more women than men. While diagnosed by health workers only account for about 9.4 percent. This means that there are still many people with hypertension are not affordable and diagnosed by health personnel and do not undergo treatment as recommended by health professionals. This causes hypertension as one of the leading causes of death in Indonesia.

Suffering from Hypertension Risk
The cause of hypertension can not be ascertained in more than 90 percent of cases. With age, your chances of suffering from hypertension will also increase. The following are the trigger factors which allegedly can affect an increased risk of hypertension.

• Aged over 65 years.
• Eating a lot of salt.
• Overweight.
• Having a family with hypertension.
• Eating less fruit and vegetables.
• Rarely exercise.
• Drinking too much coffee (or other drinks that contain caffeine).
• Too much consuming alcohol.

The risk of hypertension can be reduced by changing the things above and apply a more healthy lifestyle. Regular blood pressure checks also can help diagnosis at an early stage. Diagnosis of hypertension as early as possible will increase the chances for lowering blood pressure to a normal level. This can be done by changing into a healthier lifestyle without the need to take medication.

Measuring Blood Pressure
Pressing force of blood in the artery walls when the heart pumps around the body determines the size of the blood pressure. The pressure is too high will weigh on arteries and your heart, so that people with hypertension could potentially have a heart attack, stroke, or kidney disease.

Measurement of blood pressure in a dose per millimeter of mercury (mmHg) and recorded in two numbers, the systolic and diastolic pressures. The systolic pressure is the blood pressure when the heart beats to pump blood out. While diastolic pressure is the blood pressure when the heart does not contract (relaxation phase). Currently just blood pumped out of the heart (systolic pressure), is in the arteries and diastolic blood pressure also shows the strength of the walls of arteries resist the blood flow rate.

Your blood pressure is 130 per 90 or 130/90 mmHg, then you have a systolic pressure of 130 mmHg and a diastolic pressure of 90 mmHg. Normal numbers of blood pressure is under 120/80 mmHg.

You will be considered to be suffering from hypertension or high blood pressure if the results of several examinations, keep your blood pressure reaches 140/90 mmHg or higher.

Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension
If your blood pressure is high, monitor closely until it is running and can be controlled properly. Doctors usually recommend changes in lifestyle that included in the treatment for hypertension as well prevention. The move can be implemented through:

• Eating healthy foods.
• Reduce consumption of salt and caffeine.
• Quit smoking.
• Exercise regularly.
• Lose weight, if necessary.
• Reducing the consumption of liquor.

Prevent hypertension is easier and cheaper than treatment. Therefore, prevention should be done as early as possible. If left in place too long, hypertension can lead to complications that can even be life-threatening infected.

Hypertension diagnosis

Figures ideal blood pressure is below 120/80 mmHg. However, the measurement results below 130/90 mmHg is still included in the normal range. Blood pressure can vary. The measurement results are high in all the examination does not mean you automatically suffer from hypertension.

Healthy adults over the age of 40 years is recommended to check blood pressure at least once in five years. But if you are more at risk of hypertension, it is advisable to check blood pressure more often, it is recommended once a year.

Blood pressure is usually measured using manual and digital sphygmomanometers. Most doctors now uses digital sphygmomanometer, the blood pressure measuring device that uses electronic sensors to detect your pulse.

You can also make checks at home if they have their own equipment. It is intended to be able to monitor the size of blood pressure regularly at intervals of a day. This was done in order to ensure consistency of your blood pressure.

Blood and urine tests may be recommended to check whether there is a specific condition or disease that became a driving force behind the increase in blood pressure.

Prevention of Hypertension
 
Adoption of healthy lifestyles such as consumption of nutritious food, regular exercise, not smoking, and avoiding heavy drinking can prevent hypertension. Some examples of the application that can be done include:

• Food. Eat foods that are low in fat and rich in fiber, such as bread from whole grains, brown rice, and fruits and vegetables. Reduce consumption of salt in your diet, at least no more than 6 grams of salt per day (about one teaspoon).
• Weight. Although only a few kilos, losing weight will make a big difference in blood pressure and overall health.
• Sport. To lower blood pressure and keep the heart and blood vessels in good condition, regular exercise and activity needs to be done. For adults, moderate-intensity activity with (cycling or brisk walking) at least should be done for 2 to 3 hours each week.
• Relaxation therapies, such as yoga or meditation. These therapies can help you to control stress.
• Liquor. Limit alcohol consumption in a day is recommended 2 to 2.5 cans of beer alcohol content 4,7persen for men. And a maximum of two cans of beer alcohol content of 4.7 per cent for women. The risk of hypertension increases if you are consuming alcohol too often and overuse.
• Smoke. Smoking does not cause hypertension directly, but will increase the risk of heart attack and stroke because it can lead to narrowing of the arteries. The combination of smoking and hypertension increases the risk of heart disease or lung drastically.
• Caffeine. Reduce consumption of beverages containing caffeine such as coffee, tea, cola and energy drinks. Drinking more than four cups of coffee a day can increase the risk of hypertension.

Symptoms of Hypertension

Many people suffering from hypertension without knowing it, because the disease is not likely to have significant symptoms. Adults should check their blood pressure at least once in five years. But for those who have a high risk of hypertension, it is advisable to undergo blood pressure measurements annually.

In some rare cases, a person with very high blood pressure may experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, persistent headaches, nosebleeds, blurred vision or double vision.

Consult a doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. Hypertension is not addressed can lead to serious diseases, such as stroke and heart disease.

Hypertension and Pregnancy
Mothers who are pregnant are strongly encouraged to measure blood pressure on a regular basis, though the results were never high. With regular inspections and monitoring, the mother can lower the risk of hypertension that may occur during pregnancy.

If not examined, pregnant women might experience a serious condition known as preeclampsia. Preeclampsia will cause interference with the placenta (the organ that connects the baby's blood circulation to the mother or placenta).

Treatment of Hypertension

Changes in lifestyle and consumption of anti-hypertensive drugs could be an effective measure to reduce hypertension. High blood pressure and the patient's risk for cardiovascular disease (such as heart attack and stroke) will determine the type of treatment that will be undertaken. Examples of conditions that may be considered in treatment include:

• If your blood pressure is very high (160/100 mmHg or more), should be treated as soon as possible.
• If your blood pressure reaches 140/90 mmHg or more and you are considered to have the risk of cardiovascular disease in a 10 year period, you need to consume drugs and lifestyle changes to make it healthier.
• If your blood pressure is slightly higher than 130/80 mmHg and has a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, you can lower blood pressure simply by changing your lifestyle.

Lifestyle changes to lower blood pressure could see the impact in a few weeks. This step can be done in simple ways such as:

• Eating a healthy diet, low in fat, and balanced. For example, brown rice, fruits, and vegetables.
• Reduce salt intake to less than one teaspoon per day.
• Active exercise. Physically active is the most important thing you can do to prevent or control hypertension.
• Lose weight.
• Quit smoking. Smoking increases your chances of heart disease and lung drastically.
• Avoid or reduce the consumption of liquor.
• Reduce the consumption of caffeine-rich beverages, such as coffee, tea, or cola.
• Doing relaxation therapies, such as yoga or meditation to control stress.

Discipline in implementing a healthy lifestyle will provide a significant positive impact on your blood pressure. Some sufferers even be no need to take drugs for successfully implementing lifestyle changes to normalize blood pressure.

Use of Drugs

In some cases of hypertension, patients often need to take medication for life. However, if the blood pressure is under control in many years, you probably should stop treatment.

There are also some people who should be taking more than one drug. This combination is usually necessary to treat hypertension more difficult to control. Several types of drugs commonly given are:

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor

By making the walls of the blood vessels relax, ACE inhibitor drugs - angiotensin-converting enzyme - will lower blood pressure.

The side effects of this drug are ongoing dry cough. If the side effects are very disturbing, there are other drugs with the same functionality as angiotensin-2 receptor antagonists which are likely to be suggested. Make sure you consult a physician before taking any medication for taking ACE inhibitors.

Calcium channel blockers

So that calcium is not entering the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels, drugs calcium channel blockers (calcium channel blockers) can be used. These drugs will relax the arteries and lowers blood pressure. The risk of adverse effects of calcium channel blockers will increase if you drink grapefruit juice while taking this drug.

Diuretics

Diuretics are also known as "water pills" that serves to remove excess water and salt from the body through urine.

Beta-blockers

Heart will beat more slowly and with less effort if you are taking any medication types of beta-blockers (beta blockers) that will reduce the level of blood pressure.

Always talk to your doctor before you stop taking beta-blockers. Dangerous side effects can occur if consumption is stopped abruptly. Examples of side effects is an increase in blood pressure or angina attacks (wind seated).

Alpha-blockers

Alpha-blockers (alpha inhibitors) are used to relax the blood vessels so blood flows more easily in the blood vessels. The side effects include fainting generally appear first use, headache, dizziness, fatigue, and swollen ankles.

Now beta-blockers and alpha-blockers is considered less effective than other drugs for treating hypertension. This type of drug is only used when other treatment methods do not show a positive impact.

Causes of Hypertension
 
The cause of hypertension can not be ascertained in more than 90 percent of cases. In cases where there is absolutely no apparent cause or factors, hypertension is known as primary hypertension. There are several factors that allegedly can increase your risk of developing these conditions, namely:

• Age. The risk of hypertension increases with age.
• Heredity. People with family members who suffer from hypertension have a high risk for the same condition.
• Smoke. Smoking can increase blood pressure at the same time narrowing the artery wall.
• Being overweight or obese. Oxygen and nutrients supplied by blood will be measured according to the body weight. Excessive weight will require oxygen and more nutrients, so it takes more blood volume. Increased blood volume increases blood pressure.
• Lack of exercise. People who rarely exercise are likely to have a faster heart rate, so the heart has to work harder. Heart work harder will increase blood pressure.
• High salt levels in food. High salt levels can cause a buildup of fluid in the body, which in turn increases blood pressure.
• Too much consuming alcohol. The alcohol content in liquor can trigger organ damage to the heart.
• Stress. High levels of stress could potentially lead to increased blood pressure.

While hypertension caused by certain basic conditions are called secondary hypertension. Overall, 10 percent of hypertension cases are secondary types. Some of the causes behind this condition generally include:

• Diabetes.
• Kidney illness.
• Conditions that affect the tissues of the body, such as lupus.
• Certain drugs, such as oral contraceptives, analgesics or pain relievers, cold medicine, and decongestants.
• Constriction of blood vessels (arteries) that supply blood to the kidneys.
• Hormonal disorders, especially thyroid.

Complications of Hypertension

Hypertension will be weighing on your heart and blood vessels if not handled carefully. The types of complications that could potentially occur include:

• Heart attack or stroke. Hypertension potentially causing thickening and hardening of artery walls that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
• Aneurysm or an abnormal dilation of the arteries. Increased blood pressure can lead to dilation of blood vessel walls (such as bulging). The walls were bulging will be weak to withstand pressure when blood flow. This complication is potentially life-threatening, especially if the blood vessels rupture.
• Small blood vessels in the kidneys are damaged as a result of hypertension. This condition could hinder the kidneys to function properly. Some of the symptoms are swelling of both lower limbs, the desire to urinate at night increases but little urine volume, and hypertension are getting worse.
• Metabolic syndrome, namely the emergence of a number of health problems experienced simultaneously. Increased waist circumference, high triglyceride levels, low levels of good cholesterol (HDL), fasting blood sugar levels are high, with hypertension are at increased risk for metabolic syndrome. This syndrome is also known sindom insulin resistance, where the body fails to use insulin in the blood effectively. In the end, the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabtes will also increase.

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