Arterial hypertension

Arterial hypertension is a chronic condition characterized by a continuous increase in blood pressure levels. It is a potentially serious silent disease directly related to coronary heart disease, strokes, heart failure, or kidney failure. It has a high prevalence, with more than a third of the population affected, making it the main reason for medical consultations worldwide.

There are two types of hypertension:

• Primary hypertension, which affects most adults and has no directly identifiable cause.
• Secondary hypertension, which is caused by an underlying condition such as kidney disease, sleep apnea, adrenal gland tumors, thyroid problems, or the use of certain medications, among others.

Additionally, hypertension may be influenced by several risk factors:

• In most cases, it develops in adults, and its incidence increases with age.
• It is more common in men until menopause, at which point the risk reverses.
• Ethnicity: It is more frequent in people of African descent, with a higher rate of complications.
• Overweight or obesity.
• Lack of physical activity.
• Smoking not only raises blood pressure but its compounds can damage the walls of blood vessels, increasing the risk of complications.
• A diet high in sodium.
• Excessive alcohol consumption.
• Stress.
• Certain chronic diseases, such as sleep apnea or chronic kidney disease.
• Pregnancy.

Most people with hypertension are unaware that they have it, as the disease is often not accompanied by obvious symptoms. Therefore, it is highly recommended to regularly check blood pressure.

In some cases, mild symptoms such as headaches, nosebleeds, irregular heartbeat, or visual disturbances may occur. Some of the potential complications that can arise from sustained hypertension include:

• Angina pectoris.
• Myocardial infarction due to a blockage of blood flow to the heart.
• Heart and/or kidney failure.
• Aneurysms, with the associated risk of rupture.
• Irregular heartbeat.

Arterial hypertension is a condition that can be controlled in most cases. The most important lifestyle habits to prevent it are:

• Maintain a healthy diet, limiting the amount of sodium (salt) and alcohol.
• Engage in regular physical activity.
• Maintain a healthy weight, avoiding obesity and being overweight.
• Quit smoking. Smoking damages blood vessels and increases the risk of high blood pressure. It can also worsen health problems related to hypertension.
• Manage stress and learn how to handle it.

The more lifestyle changes are made, the higher the chances of lowering blood pressure and preventing health problems related to this disease.