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Let’s start this article with a very cliché phrase, saying that “life is a breath”. And so we started, to remember the importance of taking care of our health so that our life is lived in the best possible way and of course, with quality. Some health complications end up being unavoidable, while others can be prevented and also occur, but they can be controlled by providing a normal life, as is the case with hypertension.
What is Hypertension?
Hypertension or high blood pressure as it is popularly known is a chronic disease characterized by a constant increase in blood pressure in the arteries. This elevation of pressure causes the heart to have to exert more effort than normal so that the distribution of blood throughout the body is done properly. It is signaled when the values of the maximum and minimum pressure are equal or exceed the values of 140/90 mmHG (14 X 9).
Elevated blood pressure is one of the main risk factors for very serious events such as stroke (stroke), arterial aneurysm, stroke, kidney and heart failure . Therefore, when the patient is diagnosed with hypertension, he must strictly follow the medical instructions for changes in habits and appropriate treatment. Mortality rates due to hypertension have been monitored annually, and it has been growing at an alarming rate, due to the lack of recklessness of patients diagnosed with the disease.
Main Causes of Hypertension
Normally hypertension is acquired in 90% of cases by family inheritance, but we also cannot rule out the bad influences in the hectic and unruly routines, providing bad eating and health habits such as
- Cigarette;
- Consumption of alcoholic beverages;
- Lack of physical activity;
- Obesity;
- Excessive consumption of salt;
- Stress;
- High cholesterol levels .
In addition to the risk factors described above, the risk of a higher incidence of the disease in black people, diabetics and the elderly in general is included in the list.
Hypertension Symptoms
Hypertension symptoms can be confused with other health events and only appear when the pressure rises too high, so it is considered a silent disease. Symptoms such as severe headache, chest pain, dizziness , ringing in the ear, nosebleeds, blurred vision and weakness occur when the pressure is already changed.
As there is no test to predict that it is about to occur, in all medical consultations it is indicated that the pressure is checked using a device called a sphygmomanometer or in the case of the symptoms reported above, an emergency service is sought for verification. The check can also be done at home using portable pressure gauges, which are sold in pharmacies.
Diagnosis of Hypertension
Usually doctors to diagnose hypertension are: General practitioner , cardiologist and vascular surgeon . Through symptoms described by the patient and information that will be requested during the consultation and, of course, by checking the pressure at the time of the consultation. To facilitate the diagnosis, be prepared for the following questions:
- What are the symptoms and when did they start;
- Medical history and treatments that have already been performed;
- Family history of diseases;
- Eating habits;
- Addictions;
- What was the last blood pressure measurement?
The diagnosis can be closed through the measurement and reported symptoms, but a more specific test for confirmation that is called MAPA (ambulatory blood pressure monitoring), which is the monitoring of blood pressure for a period of 24 hours or through MRPA (home blood pressure monitoring), which is done through the portable device that the patient already has at home.
How to Measure Blood Pressure at Home Correctly?
During the medical consultation or when visiting an emergency room, the health professional will know how to instruct the appropriate method for performing the procedure, but what about at home? How to measure pressure correctly?
- Be at rest in at least 5 minutes;
- Stay seated;
- Preferably to measure at a time when you are not anxious or agitated;
- Position the arm at heart level, preferably supporting the arm;
- Avoid talking about the measurement;
- Measure twice with a 5 minute interval to confirm the measurement.
Hypertension Treatment
Unfortunately a cure for hypertension has not yet been found, but it is possible through treatment to control it. Only the doctor who is monitoring the patient’s health can indicate the best method for the patient’s case, which includes changes in habits and lifestyle until the use of medications . Let’s list some of the recommendations essential for hypertensive patients:
- Maintain the ideal weight;
- Reduce salt consumption;
- Practice physical exercise;
- Stop smoking;
- Reduce alcohol consumption;
- Avoid fatty foods;
- Have moments of leisure and relaxation.
As for the use of medications, there are several classes of medications focused on the treatment of hypertension, but the treatment is individualized and therefore each case is indicated a different type. And it is necessary to emphasize that even when the pressure is stabilized by the treatment indicated by the specialist, this does not indicate that the treatment must be terminated . Once hypertensive, always hypertensive and the patient must follow changes in habits and treatment for the rest of his life. In the event of suspension of treatment, and blood pressure suddenly rising, the patient is subject to serious risks that can lead to death.
Complications of Hypertension
The main complications of hypertension are the risk of stroke, infarction, atrophy of the heart muscle that causes cardiac arrhythmia. But in addition to all these very serious complications, damage to male and female fertility can occur , which is very worrying in people who are still young and who dream of having children.
In fact, hypertension and fertility do not have a direct link, but the complications generated by hypertension can affect fertility, as is the case with obesity and smoking addiction. In the case of men, recurrent problems with increased blood pressure and even the use of some medications can interfere with fertility and cause impotence, in addition to interfering with the quality of sperm, so medical monitoring is essential.
A tip for men who are trying to have a baby, is to use fertility vitamins like ViriFerti . Which are natural vitamins that enhance male fertility, which besides supplying all the vitamin needs of the body, also strengthens the seminal quality, improving the DNA. You can purchase it here in our online store.
It is also important to highlight that hypertension during pregnancy also presents risks to the mother and the baby and, for this reason, there must be differentiated monitoring in this case. Early in the prenatal period, the obstetrician gynecologist must be informed about hypertension, so that the necessary steps for proper follow-up are carried out.
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
