High blood pressure (hypertension) is a chronic condition characterized by an increase in blood pressure above 140x90 mmHg. High blood pressure is also known as a silent condition as it usually shows no signs, although many people may experience headaches, changes in perspective or dizziness.

The most common reasons for high blood pressure are a high-salt diet and lack of regular exercise, but it can also happen due to a health problem such as kidney or heart disease.

The procedure always includes care with food, such as reducing the amount of salt, but it is possible that it is also done with medication for hypertension.

Primary clues

High blood pressure is a silent condition that usually does not cause any symptoms. For this reason, it is quite common to have high blood pressure for several years before the signs appear.

Still, once your blood pressure rises suddenly, you may develop signs of high blood pressure, such as:

• Nausea and dizziness;

• Headache;

• Somnolence;

• Tinnitus in the ear;

• Perspective changes;

• Difficult breathing.

Whenever any of these signs appear, it is essential to make an appointment with the family doctor to verify the probability of suffering from hypertension, initiating the appropriate procedure. In addition, there are several steps you can take during a high blood pressure spike that help regulate your blood pressure, such as trying to relax or taking your doctor's prescribed blood pressure medication.

The best way to detect hypertension is to measure blood pressure regularly, to detect when it is above 140 x 90 mmHg. In this way, a good tactic could be to have check-ups 2 to 3 times a year with the general practitioner or family doctor, setting an example.

What causes high blood pressure

High blood pressure is constantly born when there is some alteration that disturbs the circulation of blood in the blood vessels, increasing the pressure that the heart requires to circulate the blood correctly.

However, depending on the type of hypertension, there are different reasons:

Primary hypertension

Primary hypertension is that which arises over time without being related to any health problem or the use of any type of substance or medication and, therefore, the cause is more complex to detect.

This is the most common type of hypertension and is usually related to components such as:

• Genetics: Several individuals and families are more susceptible to high blood pressure;

• Poor diet: the intake of unhealthy foods, such as high consumption of salt, sucrose and fried foods, can cause changes that increase blood pressure;

• Lack of physical activity: physical exercise is essential to maintain good heart control and regulate blood pressure.

In addition, age can also cause an increase in blood pressure due to a decrease in the elasticity of blood vessels. It is for this reason that hypertension is also more common in the elderly.

secondary hypertension

Secondary hypertension is rarer, but mostly has causes that are easier to detect, such as:

• Nephropathy;

• Heart problems;

• Thyroid changes;

• Use of certain drugs;

• Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages;

• Hormonal disorders.

When is it normal to have high blood pressure?

Having high blood pressure isn't always bad, nor does it mean you have hypertension. It is normal for an increase in blood pressure to be generated in completely healthy people, in temporary situations such as exercising, feeling any kind of pain, drinking coffee or experiencing a stressful situation, for example.

However, the pressure is expected to decrease shortly after these situations. If the pressure remains high for several days, or if it happens too often for no apparent reason, it is essential to see a doctor to find out if a high blood pressure situation can really be treated.

How the diagnosis is guaranteed

Since there are many everyday situations that have the potential to raise your blood pressure without meaning you have hypertension, the diagnosis cannot be made from a single blood pressure measurement.

Thus, to confirm the diagnosis, it is essential that at least 3 blood pressure measurements are taken on 3 different days with a minimum interval of one week between each measurement. It is also essential that measurements are performed by a health professional, as it is necessary to know how to measure blood pressure correctly to avoid errors in evaluating the results.

Certain physicians may also have the individual take several measurements at home or at the pharmacy to rule out high blood pressure in the office due to white coat syndrome.

Once there is a belief in hypertension, the doctor may also advise that other tests be performed to support the detection of a viable cause,such as a urine test, a blood test, an electrocardiogram, or a kidney ultrasound.

How to understand the cost of blood pressure

To understand the cost of blood pressure, you must know the two values:

• Systolic pressure: it is usually the highest cost of the size (eg: 135 mmHg) and represents the pressure that is made in the arteries as soon as the heart beats;

• Diastolic Pressure: This is the lowest cost (for example, 65 mmHg) and represents the pressure on the arterial walls between each heartbeat.

How should the procedure be performed?

The procedure for hypertension changes according to the type of hypertension. This is due to the fact that, in the situation of secondary hypertension, it is essential to detect the cause and initiate a procedure aimed at correcting the pathology or problem that is at the beginning of arterial hypertension.

In situations of primary hypertension, which is the most common type, changes in lifestyle are usually necessary and even medication to directly regulate pressure:

1. Medications for high blood pressure

Although there are several remedies capable of lowering blood pressure, they are mainly indicated only by the doctor, since it is not possible to regulate blood pressure only with changes in lifestyle, such as improving diet and exercising regularly. In such cases, the most commonly used medications include:

• Diuretics, such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, or spironolactone;

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as captopril, enalapril, or ramipril;

• Angiotensin receptor antagonists such as losartan, valsartan or telmisartan;

• beta-blockers such as propranolol, atenolol or carvedilol;

• calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine, nifedipine or nicardipine;

• Vasodilators such as minoxidil or hydralazine.

These medications can be used alone or together, however, they often need to be used in conjunction with lifestyle changes to ensure the best impact on blood pressure.

2. Diet for high blood pressure

Diet for hypertension belongs to the most relevant changes to help relieve blood pressure. A healthy and varied diet, low in salt, sucrose and high in fat, is essential.

In this way, it is essential to give preference to fruits, vegetables, cereals and lean proteins, such as white meat and fish, giving examples.

3. Regular practice of physical exercise

Along with diet, another substantial lifestyle change is regular physical activity for at least 30 minutes, 3 to 5 times a week. The most specific exercises to maintain vascular health are aerobic ones, such as running, walking, cycling or swimming, for example.

4. Natural remedies for high blood pressure

In addition to the doctor-oriented procedure, there are also some natural remedies that help regulate blood pressure. Some examples are garlic water, olive leaf tea or valerian tea.

Such remedies should be used continuously with the doctor's reasoning and under the guidance of a naturopath.

Hypertension during pregnancy

Hypertension is a condition that can also manifest itself throughout pregnancy, and that must be well controlled to avoid the appearance of complications that endanger the life of the pregnant woman or the baby.

A complication that can arise with increased blood pressure at this stage is preeclampsia, which is characterized by a constant increase in blood pressure and problems in various organs of the body, especially the kidneys, lungs and liver, in addition to increasing the danger . of prematurity and curettage.

Once a lady thinks of high blood pressure during pregnancy, she must consult an obstetrician and start the correct procedure, which mainly includes the use of medication and dietary changes, to avoid each and every one of the complications.

Possible complications of hypertension

Since hypertension is not identified and treated correctly, it can take several years for the pressure to remain high and create small wounds in the vessels and organs throughout the human body. For this reason, there are some serious complications of hypertension, such as:

Heart pathologies

Increased blood pressure causes the heart to pump more deeply to send blood throughout the human body. Once this happens for several years in a row, different problems can arise, such as:

• Cardiac insufficiency;

• Arrhythmia;

• Angina pectoris.

In addition, individuals with uncontrolled hypertension are also at greater risk of developing aortic aneurysms and even heart attacks.

Brain changes

Due to increased blood pressure in the vessels of the brain, various injuries to the brain can arise, which can cause changes such as memory problems, learning difficulties and even difficulty speaking.

In addition, hypertension can cause a decrease in the amount of oxygen reaching the brain, which increases the risk of ischemic stroke.

kidney problems

Increased blood pressure can also influence fragile blood vessels in the kidneys, increasing the risk of developing kidney failure.

How to prevent high blood pressure

The best way to prevent hypertension is to lead a healthy lifestyle. For this reason, several occupations that can greatly minimize the risk of high blood pressure include:

• Have a healthy and balanced diet with little salt;

• Avoid excess body weight;

• Do regular physical exercise, 3 to 5 times a week;

• Avoid excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages.

It is also essential to have regular blood pressure control, at least 2 to 3 times a year, as well as annual checkups by the doctor, to detect conditions that may increase the risk of high blood pressure.

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*The content of this publication has been written for informational purposes only. At no time can they serve to facilitate or provide diagnoses, treatments or suggestions from a professional. Consult your trusted specialist in case of doubt and ask for their acceptance before starting any method.