What is arterial hypertension?
Arterial hypertension is increased blood pressure within the walls of the large arteries of the body.
Blood pressure is recorded with two numbers, e.g., 150/95, and is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
The higher number is the “systolic” pressure, commonly referred to as the “upper” pressure, while the lower number represents the “diastolic” pressure, known as the “lower” pressure.
A person is considered to have arterial hypertension if their systolic pressure is ≥ 140 mmHg or their diastolic pressure is ≥ 90 mmHg.
How common is arterial hypertension?
Arterial hypertension usually affects adults and can lead to numerous long-term health conditions.
One in three adults globally has hypertension, which increases the risk of complications such as coronary artery disease, heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure.
In Greece, approximately 20% of the population has arterial hypertension. According to a 2012 report by the Hellenic Statistical Authority, 17.71% of men and 22.49% of women in the general population are affected.
The likelihood of developing arterial hypertension increases with age. Among those over 65 years old, hypertension affects about 50% of that population.
Hypertension is responsible for 50% of all deaths from strokes and heart disease worldwide.
If left uncontrolled, hypertension can also lead to heart arrhythmias, heart failure, and vision loss.
The risk of complications is generally higher if other conditions affecting the blood vessels are also present (such as diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking).
What causes arterial hypertension?
<p”>In 95% of cases, hypertension is due to primary (essential) causes, such as hereditary factors, obesity, long-term high salt intake, and a sedentary lifestyle.
It usually appears after the age of 30, though it can occasionally occur in children. In other cases, hypertension is secondary, caused by another condition, which, when treated, can also resolve the hypertension.
In Greece, around 20% of the population suffers from arterial hypertension. The prevalence is 17.71% in men and 22.49% in women, according to the 2012 report by the Hellenic Statistical Authority.
Conditions that may cause secondary hypertension include chronic kidney disease, sleep apnea, narrowing of the renal arteries, and adrenal gland disorders, among others.
How can hypertension be prevented or treated?
Hypertension often causes no symptoms and is usually diagnosed late or after complications have already occurred.
Sometimes, a patient may report symptoms like dizziness, headaches, or nosebleeds, but these are not generally specific to hypertension.
There are encouraging results regarding the value of prevention, by avoiding risk factors and adopting healthy dietary and exercise habits.
More specifically, the risk of developing hypertension can be reduced by:
- Reducing salt intake
- Eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruits
- Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption
- Regular physical activity
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Avoiding smoking
Regular blood pressure monitoring in adults can lead to early diagnosis and timely treatment of hypertension.
This is especially important for high-risk individuals who have multiple cardiovascular risk factors (such as family history, being overweight, smoking, or having high blood lipid levels).
The availability of various antihypertensive medications and effective regulation of blood pressure to normal levels can reduce the risk of stroke by about 40%, coronary artery disease by about 25%, and heart failure by 50%.
Close monitoring by your doctor, along with adopting all the above healthy habits, can further reduce blood pressure levels and offer multiple health benefits.
How often should I see a doctor if I have arterial hypertension?
- In the initial period after diagnosis, to confirm the diagnosis, conduct specific investigations, and choose the appropriate treatment to effectively manage blood pressure, doctor visits are scheduled every few weeks.
- Patients with well-controlled blood pressure should be monitored regularly, usually every 6 months.
- For individuals with additional health issues (such as high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, advanced arteriosclerosis, heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, or difficult-to-control hypertension), doctor visits should occur every 2 to 3 months.
