Written by Mrs. Karotsaki Theodora, Cardiologist, Scientific Head of the Cardiology Department of ANASSA Clinic
Arterial hypertension
Arterial hypertension is the disease in which the blood pressure is consistently higher than desired. It is divided into systolic and diastolic:
Systolic AH is the pressure exerted by the blood on the artery walls during the contraction of the heart.
Diastolic AH is the pressure that blood exerts on the walls of the arteries in the interval between contractions of the heart. (in dilation)
It is measured in mmHg (millimeters of mercury) and if either value is above the desired limits, then the condition is characterized as hypertension, regardless of whether the other is normal.
This is how hypertension is today called AH values
>140mmHg for systolic
> 90 mmHg for diastolic
Systolic AH is the most important. It forms the basis for the diagnosis in the majority of patients.
Some guidelines recommend values of 130/80 for patients with diabetes mellitus or chronic kidney disease. However, the benefits of this lower target have not been well established.
Classification of Blood Pressure
|
Normal |
Systolic <120mmHg |
Diastolic <80mmHg |
|
Hypertension |
120-139 |
80-89 |
|
Hypertension σphase Ι |
140-159 |
90-99 |
|
Hypertension phase ΙΙ |
>160 | >100 |
What are the causes?
About 95% of adults with high blood pressure are idiopathic. The causes are not known although environmental and genetic factors are reported to affect blood pressure.
• Environmental factors, such as excessive salt intake, obesity, sedentary lifestyle.
• Genetic factors that cause increased activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and the sympathetic nervous system.
• Vascular stiffness, which causes isolated systolic hypertension and is found mainly in the elderly people.
Secondary AH concerns 5% of all hypertensives, where the cause can be identified and treated. The main secondary causes are:
• Chronic kidney disease
• Polycystic kidney disease
• Renal artery stenosis
• Hyperaldosteronism
• Pheochromocytoma
• Thyroid diseases
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea
How do we measure correctly?
It can be measured either with a classic sphygmomanometer or with the help of an automatic electronic device.
(Those that apply to the wrist are often inaccurate and should not be used).
It is important to use the correct cuff size. The patient should be seated in a comfortable position for at least 5 minutes. It is best to take 3 measurements. We don’t count the 1st. The other two should be 1-2 minutes apart and an average of the measurements should be used.
What are the consequences of Hypertension?
Increased blood pressure can long-term cause damage to the vessels of the body’s organs. As a consequence, diseases of the heart (heart failure, coronary disease), brain (stroke), kidneys (renal failure), eyes (retinopathy) and blood vessels (aneurysms) can occur.
How is it treated?
The most important is the adoption of a healthy lifestyle and diet that includes:
I. Healthy diet: Reducing salt consumption and emphasizing food intake, such as vegetables, fruits and fish. Correspondingly, limiting the intake of meat-fatty foods.
II. Daily physical exercise.
III. Maintaining a normal body weight.
IV. Stop smoking.
What medicines are available for its treatment?
There are many groups of drugs that help the human body. We may need to download from one to more than three different categories to achieve our goal. But it is very important to remember that:
• Every organism is special and therefore the treatment differs from person to person.
• Close collaboration between the patient and his treating physician and the relationship of trust that develops between them is essential.
TAKING BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION COMPLEMENTS A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AND DIET, IT DOES NOT REPLACE IT!