Aging: 1st factor in hypertension
Hypertension is excessive pressure of blood in the arteries. Over time, the entire cardiovascular system suffers and the frequency of heart disease and stroke increases.
However, "with age, the arterial system loses its flexibility" , observes Professor Xavier Girerd, cardiologist and president of the Foundation for research on arterial hypertension. The arteries being more rigid, the blood pressure increases mechanically. "80% of hypertensive people under treatment are over 55 years old," recalls the cardiologist. Moreover, women often see their blood pressure increase at the time of menopause. At this time, screening is particularly important.
When measuring this blood pressure, the result should not exceed on average 135/85 millimeters of mercury (mmHg), after three measurements in the morning, three measurements in the evening, for three days. As we get older, the first reading (systolic pressure or SYS on the blood pressure monitor) increases. This is why, it is accepted that in people over 80, "the threshold not to be exceeded is 145/85", according to Professor Girerd.
High salt intake
The salt consumed excessively (more than 12 grams per day) can increase blood pressure (+ 1 mmHg voltage SYS per 1 gram of excess salt daily note, he hides everywhere. In bread, cold cuts, cheese, smoked fish, bouillon cubes, soy sauces ...For reasons still unknown, only 40% of hypertensive people will decrease their blood pressure by reducing the salt in their diet. If the blood pressure has not fallen enough after eating less salt for one to two weeks, drug treatment is required.
Extra pounds
"Overweight is a factor that promotes high blood pressure," says the cardiologist. Losing the extra pounds can sometimes be enough to restore normal blood pressure. “Weight loss is very often beneficial in hypertension. Losing 5 kg lowers your SYS (systolic) blood pressure by 5 millimeters of mercury, ” explains Professor Girerd. This is all the more important as this overweight is often associated with other cardiovascular risk factors such as excess cholesterol and diabetes.
Hypertensive parents
The heredity largely explains the occurrence of hypertension. A person whose parents were diagnosed as hypertensive around the age of 40-45 should be extra vigilant and carefully monitor changes in their blood pressure from the age of 20.
Kidney disease
One of the functions of the kidneys is to regulate water and salt in the body . A dysfunction will therefore lead to an increase in blood pressure. This should be particularly monitored in cases of kidney disease. A problem with the adrenal glands can also have an impact. "A patient suffering from hypertension, and whose blood test reveals a drop in potassium levels, should speak to his cardiologist and undertake an assessment in search of an adrenal cause", advises Professor Girerd.
Cigarettes raise the pressure
Tobacco acts on the caliber of blood vessels . Blood pressure remains moderately elevated for twenty minutes after a cigarette. Tobacco is therefore not directly responsible for high blood pressure. However, this is not an incentive to smoke!
Stress: a one-off factor in hypertension
Everyone knows the “white coat effect” at the doctor's office. You are worried, stressed, which causes your blood pressure to rise. This is the reason why a single blood pressure measurement is not enough to make a diagnosis of hypertension . To have a correct picture of your blood pressure, you have to repeat the measurements regularly with a blood pressure monitor and take the average over 12 to 18 measurements.
Treatment and Prevention
The management of hypertension involves lifestyle modifications and the use of medications. Proper treatment of high blood pressure can extend a person's life for years. Stabilizing blood pressure with medication can lower the risk of stroke and heart disease.
Medicines used to lower blood pressure include diuretics (eg hydrochlorothiazide *), beta blockers (eg atenolol, metoprolol), ACE inhibitors (eg ramipril, enalapril, lisinopril), calcium antagonists (eg nifedipine, amlodipine) angiotensin II receptor blockers (eg losartan, valsartan) and specific renin inhibitors (eg aliskiren).
The initiation of drug therapy may be desirable for people with other risk factors, especially those with diabetes or who have had previous heart damage, even though their blood pressure readings are are lower than those which “officially” constitute values recognized as hypertensive.
In the majority of cases, treatment goals are systolic pressure below 140 mm Hg and diastolic pressure below 90 mm Hg. For people with diabetes, targets are even lower (eg, below 130 and 80 mm Hg). For some people who are predisposed to cardiovascular complications such as stroke or heart attack, your doctor may recommend aiming for a systolic pressure below 120 mm Hg. Your doctor will determine which values are most appropriate for you.
Here are some quick tips that will help you lead a healthy lifestyle and prevent high blood pressure and heart disease:
- limit your alcohol intake to:
- no more than 2 drinks per day (or no more than 3 drinks on special occasions) up to a maximum of 10 per week for women;
- no more than 3 drinks per day (or no more than 4 drinks on special occasions) up to a maximum of 15 drinks per week for men.
- decrease the amount of salt you use (2000 mg or less per day from all sources);
- eat more fruits, vegetables, grains, and dietary fiber;
- get regular physical activity - at least 150 minutes (2 hours 30 minutes) per week that you could spread over several sessions of at least 10 minutes;
- lose weight (achieve a healthy BMI [body mass index]);
- stop smoking;
- increase your potassium intake in your diet (check with your doctor first to make sure you are not predisposed to hyperkalaemia [higher than normal blood potassium levels]).
Everyone should know their blood pressure values in mm Hg and understand the importance of biological control. Evidence available suggests that a small surge in blood pressure can have a big, far-reaching influence on life expectancy.
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