Hypertension is a serious problem for people all over the world. It is dangerous, but controllable. Overweight and inactive lifestyle give a deadly combination.
Hypertension is impossible to cure, but it is possible to maintain BP at healthy level. Only a few simple changes need to be introduced to our lifestyles. If you have hypertension, you must follow your physician’s instructions.
* Hypertension killed 49,707 American citizens in 2002.
* About 65 million Americans over 20 years of age suffer from hypertension.
* Hypertension strikes nearly 1 in 3 adults.
* Between 1992 and 2002 the death rate from hypertension rose by 26.8%, and the number of deaths increased to 56.6%.
Hypertension is known as a silent killer, due to the fact that most people don’t know they have it until it is too late. The risk factors contributing to hypertension are: age, lack of activity, too much alcohol, obesity, race, genetics, smoking, stress.
According to specialists, hypertension has become so common due to inactive and unhealthy lifestyle. Experts alarm that hypertension and heart disease statistics increase together with the rise in obesity. What’s more, people have recently become more passive- they prefer to use their cars instead of walking to the nearest shop. But both inactivity and obesity are preventable risk factors. If people lead a healthy lifestyle they are much less likely to develop hypertension.
30% of people with hypertension do not realize that. That’s because they do not show any symptoms. The only way to be sure if you have hypertension or not is to have your BP checked
regularly.
Hypertension can be diagnosed only by your healthcare provider. If your BP
is constantly above 140/90, this means you have hypertension. The risk factors contributing to hypertension are: age, lack of activity, too much alcohol, obesity, race, genetics, smoking, stress.
Men are more likely to develop blood pressure problems than women, African American are more likely than Caucasians. Your risk also increases and if you have a family history of hypertension.
- Of all people suffering from hypertension, 11% receive no treatment (special diet or drugs), 25% are on inadequate therapy, and 34% only are on a proper therapy.
- 70% of people with hypertension do not have it under control.
As it was mentioned above, most people don’t realize they have hypertension. But if somebody realizes that, he must follow his physician’s instructions as it can save his/her life. Hypertension can be controllable by eating a healthy diet, not smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation and exercising. For most people such lifestyle changes are enough to keep their BP at healthy level, but for others it is necessary to take some heart medication as well.
- The cause of 90-95% of the cases of hypertension is unknown; but high blood pressure is easily detected and usually controllable.
Due to lack of information about the causes of hypertension, studies are being conducted constantly in order to discover the exact cause. But the good news is that we can control our BP by following our physician’s instructions. Your BP can be easily controlled by eating healthy, decreasing salt consumption, working out, drinking alcohol in moderation, and taking prescribed medicines.
- African American people are more prone to have hypertension than non-Hispanics and Caucasians.
- In 2002 the hypertension death rates per 100,000 population were 14.4 for white males, 49.6 for black males, 13.7 for white females and 40.5 for black females.
Specialists do not know why African Americans are more likely to develop hypertension and heart disease. Hypertension appears at an earlier age for most African Americans and in most cases it is more serious. What’s more, African American people also have a higher death rate from stroke and kidney disease. The good news is that for most people it is possible and easy to control BP through proper treatment and lifestyle changes. This includes: losing weight, increasing physical activity, following a healthy diet, choosing foods with less salt, and drinking alcohol in moderation.
- Higher blood pressure is also observed in people with lower educational and income levels.
Stress is one of the crucial risk factors. People with lower education and incomes are usually more stressed out than others because they are constantly worried about job, safety and making ends meet. Hence, they are more prone to develop hypertension.
- According to The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, 600 million people with hypertension are at risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiac failure.
- All over the world, hypertension is estimated to cause 7.1 million deaths, about 13% of the global fatality total. Actually, high blood pressure leads to 5 million premature deaths a year worldwide.
- About half of people with a first heart attack and 2/3 who have a stroke have blood pressures higher than 160/95 mmHg.
- In 91% of cases, hypertension can lead to congestive heart failure (CHF). HBP is associated with 2-3 times higher risk for developing CHF.
If hypertension is not controlled it can damage blood vessels and restrict blood flow to the vital organs. It can lead to eye and kidney damage, strokes, heart attacks and other severe health problems. Hypertension is a very serious condition requiring medical care. If it is neglected, it can lead to death. People must understand that only by controlling their BP and making smart healthy choices about their food and lifestyle they can prevent hypertension and heart disease. Hypertension is treatable– it does not have to take over your life.
