Hypertension is one of the main causes of premature death in the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). High blood pressure occurs when the pressure in your blood vessels is too high, with a systolic blood pressure greater than 140 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure greater than 90 mmHg. Although it is a very common pathology, it can be serious if not treated properly.
There are certain risk factors that increase the possibility of suffering from hypertension, such as genetics, overweight and obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, following a diet high in salt and abusing alcohol. But, in addition, age is also a risk factor, since high blood pressure is more common after the age of 65.
Therefore, it is important to know what we can do to reduce hypertension, as this will prevent heart attacks, strokes, kidney damage and other health problems. As highlighted by the WHO, certain lifestyle changes can reduce high blood pressure. Likewise, they focus on certain practices that increase the risk of developing it.
The WHO highlights that it is estimated that 46% of adults with hypertension do not know that they suffer from this condition and less than half of adults (42%) with hypertension are diagnosed and treated. So, the best way to know if you have hypertension is to monitor your blood pressure.
Most people with hypertension do not feel any symptoms, but it is important to know how to identify them. If blood pressure is very high, it manifests itself with headaches, blurred vision, chest pain, dizziness, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, anxiety, confusion, ringing in the ears, nosebleeds and heart rhythm. abnormal. Given some of these signs, it is advisable to go to the doctor as soon as possible.
If hypertension already exists, the WHO indicates that it is important to keep it under control to reduce its associated risks. In this sense, they advise reducing and controlling stress, periodically monitoring blood pressure, treating high blood pressure with the prescribed treatment and taking other medical conditions into account.
