High blood pressure through the eyes of a doctor

slug: high-blood-pressure

Nimal, 45, came to the clinic complaining of a stiff neck and a headache. He was extremely scared. "Doctor, will I be in serious trouble? Will a vein in my head burst?" he asked in a trembling voice. I smiled and calmed him down by saying, "Don't worry, Nimal, let's check my blood pressure first." It's actually normal to be scared about your health. So today, let's talk about this silent killer in our body: high blood pressure.

The incident that night will never be forgotten.

Let me tell you a story that shows how much damage high blood pressure, or what we commonly call pressure, can do to the body. During my internship, I worked in a very busy hospital. One night, Mrs. Silva, a school teacher in her 40s, was suddenly admitted to the ward. She had lost consciousness on one side of her body and was lying in her house. Her two children, a 7-year-old son and a 15-year-old daughter, were sitting next to their mother, terrified and unable to do anything.

After a CT scan of Mrs. Silva's head, we saw something very sad. She had suffered a hemorrhagic stroke due to high blood pressure, which she had unknowingly not controlled for many years. Despite our best efforts, unfortunately we were unable to save her life. The two helpless children lost their mother. Everyone needs to understand that blood pressure is not just a number.

What is high blood pressure?

Our heart pumps blood throughout the body through blood vessels called arteries. Blood pressure is the pressure that blood exerts on the walls of the arteries as it travels through these vessels. If for some reason this pressure is consistently higher than normal, we call it hypertension.

Think about a hose that you use to water your garden. If the pressure of the water gets too high, the hose can swell and leak in places or burst, right? The same thing happens to the blood vessels in our bodies.

How are pressure values ​​measured?

When measuring blood pressure, two values ​​are obtained.

• Systolic Pressure (top number): The pressure exerted on the artery walls when the heart beats.
• Diastolic Pressure (bottom number): The pressure when the heart is at rest between beats.

The distribution of blood pressure values ​​can be seen in the table below:

| Blood pressure level | Systolic (top number) mm Hg | Diastolic (bottom number) mm Hg |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Normal | Less than 120 | and less than 80 |
| Slightly Elevated | 120 - 129 | and less than 80 |
| Stage 1 | 130 - 139 | or 80 - 89 |
| Stage 2 | 140 or higher | or 90 or higher |

> 🚨Hypertensive Crisis:
> If the pressure is higher than 180/120 and there is chest pain, difficulty breathing, or changes in vision, you should immediately call 1990 or go to the nearest hospital.

Why does high blood pressure occur?

High blood pressure can be divided into two main types:

1. Primary Hypertension

This is the type that most people get. There is no single cause and it develops slowly over many years. Here are some factors that can contribute:

• Genes: If your family has high blood pressure, you are at higher risk of developing it.
• Age: After the age of 65, the flexibility of blood vessels decreases.
• Lifestyle: Lack of exercise, eating too much salt, obesity, and stress.

2. Secondary Hypertension

This is pressure that is caused by another medical condition. This can occur suddenly. Here are the causes:

• Kidney diseases.
• Thyroid problems.
• Sleep apnea.
• Side effects of some birth control pills or painkillers.

What symptoms appear when the pressure increases?

High blood pressure is called the "Silent Killer" in medical science because it doesn't show any symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Many people only find out about it when their blood pressure is measured for another condition.

But if your blood pressure gets too high, you may experience these symptoms:

• Severe headache (especially in the back of the head).
• Dizziness and nausea.
• Blurred vision.
• Chest pain or difficulty breathing.

What happens to our body organs if we don't control them?

If blood pressure is left uncontrolled, it can damage several major organs in the body:

• To the brain: A stroke can occur when a blood vessel bursts.
• Heart: The risk of heart attack increases.
• Kidneys: The blood supply to the kidneys is impaired, leading to kidney failure.
• Eyes: Damage to the blood vessels in the eye causes vision loss.

What is White Coat Hypertension?

Some patients are afraid to go to the hospital or see a doctor. This is why their blood pressure readings at the hospital are higher than normal. But when they are at home, their blood pressure is completely normal. This condition is called "White Coat Hypertension". People like this are advised to measure their blood pressure at home for a few days in the morning and evening to get the most accurate reading.

How to control the pressure?

There are two ways to successfully control high blood pressure:

1. Taking the medication prescribed by the doctor

There are various types of medications to control blood pressure (Beta-blockers, Diuretics, ACE inhibitors, Calcium channel blockers). Your doctor will choose the right medication for you based on your condition. Remember, never stop taking your blood pressure medication without medical advice.

2. Healthy lifestyle

• Reduce salt intake: Stop adding extra salt to your food. Limit bread, papadums, dried fish, and sauces as they contain a lot of salt.
• Be active: Engage in exercise, such as brisk walking, for 30 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week.
• Diet: Add more fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains to your diet (DASH Diet method).
• Stop smoking and drinking alcohol: These harden blood vessels and increase blood pressure.

Do's and Don'ts to Reduce Pressure

| ✔️ Do's | ❌ Don'ts |
| :--- | :--- |
| Take your blood pressure pills at the right time every day. | Do not stop taking your pills without consulting your doctor. |
| Reduce the use of salt as much as possible when cooking. | Do not eat salty foods like pickles, dried fruits, and papadums frequently. |
| Measure and record your blood pressure at home every few weeks. | Don't panic and get scared when you see your blood pressure. |
| Keep your mind calm through methods like yoga and meditation. | Do not drink too much coffee, tea, or sugary drinks. |

Scientific sources (References)

• 📚 High blood pressure (hypertension) - National Health Service (NHS) Guidelines
• 📚 Healthcare professional-led interventions on lifestyle modifications for hypertensive patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis - PubMed Central (PMC)
• 📚 High blood pressure (hypertension): Symptoms and Causes - Mayo Clinic

The most important take-home message

• High blood pressure is a "silent killer" that initially does not show any symptoms in the body, and if it is not properly controlled, the risk of stroke and heart attack greatly increases.
• Taking your doctor's prescribed medications on time and making positive lifestyle changes such as limiting salt intake, weight control, and exercise can help you live a long, healthy life.
• If you are over 40 years old or have a family history of high blood pressure, it is very important to have your blood pressure checked at least once a year.