If my dear readers, the title of my publication has to do with blood pressure, a silent disease that we take precaution and care put our lives at risk in matters of second, then I will describe them in a textual way to avoid controversies nor misunderstandings regarding: concepts, diagnoses, causes, treatments and recommendations with medical terms in this regard:

Arterial hypertension

What is it?

Hypertension is a common disease that affects one third of the adult population. It is produced by the increase in the force of pressure exerted by the blood on the arteries in a sustained manner. It is a disease that does not give symptoms for a long time and, if left untreated, can trigger severe complications such as heart attack, stroke, kidney and eye damage, among other complications. It can be avoided if it is controlled properly.

What are your causes?

The mechanism of the most frequent hypertension called "essential", "primary" or "idiopathic" is unknown, although there are factors that are usually present in the majority of people who suffer it: heredity (hypertensive parents or siblings), sex male, age, obesity, salt intake, excessive consumption of alcohol, the use of some drugs (including over-the-counter drugs) and low physical activity or sedentary lifestyle determine hypertension.

Source

How do you make the diagnostic?

The only way to detect hypertension is its measurement. Many people have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. There are two measures: systolic blood pressure (SBP) or maximum and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) or minimum. High blood pressure (hypertension) is considered when said maximum measurement is greater than or equal to 140 and the minimum is 90.

How is the treatment?

Hypertension, in most cases, can not be cured but can be controlled. To achieve this, a regular treatment for life must be followed to lower the pressure and keep it stable. The medication is only part of that treatment. The doctor also recommends, if necessary, a healthy diet to lose weight, not abuse the consumption of salt and alcohol and the importance of regular physical activity.

Advice for the person with hypertension:

• Reduce body weight if you are overweight.

• Reduce your salt intake to 4-6 grams a day.

• Reduce the intake of alcohol, which in women should be less than 140 grams a week and in men, less than 210 grams.

• Perform physical activity such as walking, running moderately, swimming or riding a bicycle, from 30 to 45 minutes, a minimum of 3 times per week.

• Reduce coffee consumption.

• Eat foods rich in potassium such as vegetables, fruits and vegetables.

• Give up the habit of smoking.

• Follow a healthy diet rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (fish, corn, soy, sunflower, pumpkin and walnuts) and low in saturated fats (potato chips, pastry products and beef fat).

If you are hypertensive go to or call an emergency service in case of:

• Very intense and sudden headache.

• Difficulty speaking and lifting an arm or facial paralysis.

• Dizziness or vertigo.

• Blurry vision.

• Chest pain or shortness of breath.