Hypertension: Pay attention to hypertension

Hypertension: Pay attention to hypertension

Commonly referred to as “high blood pressure”, hypertension is characterized by elevated arterial pressure. It occurs when the arteries shrink or harden; the heart then has to work harder to keep blood circulating throughout the body.

Hypertension has been nicknamed the “silent killer” because it often comes without any telltale signs or symptoms. In fact, many people with hypertension are unaware of their condition.

Risk factors

There are many known risk factors that can lead to hypertension:

  • Age and family history
  • A diet rich in salt and fat
  • Lack of exercise, excess weight and stress
  • Smoking and excessive use of alcohol.

If you believe that any of these risk factors apply to you, you should pay special attention to your blood pressure and talk to a health professional.

Complications

Although most people with hypertension do not feel any symptoms, this condition can nevertheless lead to certain complications. You could develop or suffer the following conditions, among others:

  • A cerebrovascular accident (stroke)
  • Retinopathy (a disease of the eyes)
  • A myocardial infarction or heart failure
  • Kidney failure 
  • Blood circulation problems in the legs.

Diagnosis

A single high blood pressure reading does not necessarily mean you suffer from hypertension. In fact, the doctor must measure your blood pressure several times to make sure that the variations are not caused by other factors, such as transient stress.

Blood pressure monitoring

Hypertension can be defined as systolic pressure greater than 140 mmHg (millimetre of mercury) or diastolic pressure above 90 mmHg. The higher the pressure, the greater the chances of damage.

What does 140/90 mmHg mean?

140 mmHg

90 mmHg

Systolic pressure

Diastolic pressure

The pressure, measured in mm of mercury, in your arteries when your heart beats.

The pressure measured in your arteries when your heart is resting between heartbeats.  

Treatment

There are two main categories of hypertension treatment: lifestyle changes and medication.

Lifestyle changes

  • Quit smoking.
  • Limit your intake of alcohol to two drinks per day.
  • Exercise regularly, with a special focus on cardiovascular exercise (i.e. walking, cycling).
  • Lower your stress level.
  • Eat a healthy diet (low-salt, high potassium diet).
  • Aim for a healthy weight and a body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9: use our BMI calculator.

Medication

High blood pressure medications are known as antihypertensives. They cannot cure hypertension, but they can help us to manage it. There are several categories of antihypertensive agents and each type works differently to lower blood pressure.

Remember that there are no miracle cures and that treatment must be tailored to each person. What works for you may not work for another person with high blood pressure.

In-store health services

If you have been diagnosed with hypertension, you must closely monitor your blood pressure. We offer many professional pharmacy services to help you do just that:

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