What you should know about Hypertension

When the pressure through which blood flows in the arteries is higher than normal, then our heart needs to function harder, in order to maintain adequate blood flow to our body. This condition is known as high blood pressure or hypertension. Hypertension is one of the most serious chronic conditions of the last 50 years.

The process by which Hypertension can be caused is not difficult to be understood. Every organ in our body needs a constant blood flow in order to achieve the transport of oxygen and the necessary nutrients. Our heart is a pump that sends blood to the arteries and then receives it from the peripheral veins. Each time it carries blood to the arteries, a pressure from two forces is created.

When blood is sent we name it systolic pressure, and when the arteries resist the flow of blood, it is named diastolic pressure. By measuring these values, Blood Pressure is determined. The first should not exceed 140 mm Hg, while the second should not exceed 90 mm Hg.

Classification

Systolic pressure

mm Hg

 

Diastolic pressure

mm Hg

Normal blood pressurebelow 120 mm Hgandbelow 80 mm Hg
Pre-hypertension120-139 mm Hgor80-89 mm Hg
Elevated Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage 1

 

140-159 mm Hg

 

or

 

90-99 mm Hg

Elevated Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage 2160 mm Hg and above

 

or

 

100 and above mm Hg

Hypertensive crisisabove 180 mm Hgorabove 110 mm Hg

 

Hypertension as a symptom of underlying pathological conditions

Hypertension is one of the most insidious and dangerous chronic conditions, as it does not necessarily manifest with obvious clinical signs and symptoms,. It is no coincidence, after all, that it is referred to as the “silent killer”, as 1/3 of the sufferers perceive Hypertension from its symptoms. The highest risk, however, comes from the long-term effects on our health.

Hypertension is expressed as a symptom of an underlying pathological condition. Stress, obesity, hyperlipidemia, Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and disorders of the hormonal system are pathological conditions of which high blood pressure is one of their symptoms.

These chronic pathological conditions lead to the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, which in turn can lead to the formation and development of atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries. In this way, the arteries become stiffer and less elastic, forcing the heart to exert more pressure.

In addition, high blood pressure can be a symptom of other underlying diseases, such as kidney and / or heart disease, adrenal hyperfunction, preeclampsia, and elevated levels of inflammation in the blood (CRP). Also, based on a study conducted in 2007 and published in the Scientific Review of Hypertension, it was found that there is an inextricable link between Hypertension and hypothyroidism.

Also, taking certain medications (e.g. contraceptives, nasal decongestants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) , as well as certain diseases of the immune system, such as psoriasis, are factors that favor the onset of high blood pressure.

 

Predisposing factors for high blood pressure

For the largest percentage of patients with Arterial Hypertension, no specific and distinct cause can be identified, as, as it was mentioned above, Hypertension manifests itself as a symptom of underlying pathological conditions. Nevertheless, there are some predisposing factors that may induce the onset of hypertension. These can be age, chronic stress, increased body weight, sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity, alcohol consumption, smoking and harmful eating habits.

 

Usual therapeutic approaches

To date, the chronic condition of Hypertension is treated through the administration of one of the many antihypertensive pills. However, the side effects caused by antihypertensive drugs are an issue that few are aware of it and even fewer report it.

In particular, the combination of a diuretic with a calcium channel blocker has been shown, according to studies, to increase the risk of heart attack. On the other hand, b-blockers can lead to stroke. In addition, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors may contribute to hypotension, hepatitis and acute renal failure and may function as a vestibule of heart attack or disability.

 

Modern Medical Treatment of Hypertension

One way that effectively helps to eliminate the so-called silent killer, namely Hypertension, is the treatment of the real silent killer, which is the chronic inflammation as a result of the total deregulation of the organism.

The Modern Medical Approach aims to address biochemical imbalances. This can be achieved through Specialized Tests and Personalized Medical Protocols that are developed, in order to restore the body’s biochemical balance at a cellular level. In this way, the declining course of blood pressure emerges at a later stage as a natural consequence of the above personalized and modern medical plan.

 

Dr. Nikoleta Koini, M.D.

Doctor of Functional, Preventive, Anti-ageing and Restorative Medicine.
Diplomate and Board Certified in Anti-aging, Preventive, Functional and Regenerative Medicine from A4M (American Academy in Antiaging Medicine).

 

References:


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  4. Healthy living.gr, Arthriakipiesh.
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  8. Messerli FH, Williams B, Ritz E. Essential Hypertension. 2007.

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