Vanguard Allure

Top Menu

  • Vanguard

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Allure Magazine
    • Features
    • Magazine
    • Profiles
  • Allure TV
  • Celebration
    • Fashion & Style
    • Weddings
    • Lifestyle
    • Events
  • Wellbeing
    • Allure Woman
    • Healthy Living
    • Beauty
  • Happiness
    • Food
    • Shopping
    • Travel
    • Relationships
    • Career
  • News
  • Vanguard

logo

Vanguard Allure

  • Home
  • Allure Magazine
    • Princess Kelechi Oghene: Building Fashion Legacy

      February 21, 2021
      0
    • Gedoni And Khafi Ekpata

      Gedoni And Khafi Ekpata: To Love And To Hold

      February 14, 2021
      0
    • 'I'm pushing only JESUSBrand' - Dupsy Oyeneyin, Gospel Singer

      January 31, 2021
      0
    • Juliet Okonkwo: From Passion To Goldmine

      January 31, 2021
      0
    • Making music is my ministry, obedience to call of God - Chineze ...

      January 31, 2021
      0
    • Samuel Animashaun Perry: Arrival of Broda Shaggi

      January 24, 2021
      0
    • Adetola Nola: Up Real Estate Ladder

      January 17, 2021
      0
    • My October 4 Revelation - Chisom Orji

      January 16, 2021
      0
    • Amid Face-Off With Bobrisky James Brown Loses IG Page

      January 16, 2021
      0
    • Features
    • Magazine
    • Profiles
  • Allure TV
  • Celebration
    • Fashion & Style
    • Weddings
    • Lifestyle
    • Events
  • Wellbeing
    • Allure Woman
    • Healthy Living
    • Beauty
  • Happiness
    • Food
    • Shopping
    • Travel
    • Relationships
    • Career
  • News
    • How I lost My Mum At 5 - Nancy Isime

      February 24, 2021
      0
    • Ekiti gov pays condolence visit widow of Flt Sgt Olawunmi

      February 23, 2021
      0
    • ebuka

      ‘9 months after lockdown, now babies everywhere, time well spent’ – Ebuka ...

      February 22, 2021
      0
    • BankyW and Adesua welcome first child after 4 years of marriage

      February 22, 2021
      0
    • Comedian Bovi rocks popular bloodied flag at the Headies award

      February 22, 2021
      0
    • Wizkid floors Davido grabs 3 awards at 14th Headies (Full List of ...

      February 22, 2021
      0
    • Natural Ways To Make Your Bedroom Smell Good

      February 21, 2021
      0
    • Instagram influencer Ramon Abbas aka Hushpuppi,

      'I'll be with grandkids before he gets out' - BBNaija’s Leo reacts ...

      February 20, 2021
      0
    • mc oluomo

      Biodun Okeowo, others react as MC Oluomo’s daughter becomes certified nurse in ...

      February 20, 2021
      0
  • Senate confirms appointment of New EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa

  • Lovely Photos from Lala Akindoju’s Surprise Baby Shower

  • Tattoo Trend: Ada Ameh Hits Ka3na For Scolding Fan

  • I’m Single But Have A Sugar Mummy – Joeboy

  • How I lost My Mum At 5 – Nancy Isime

Healthy LivingWellbeing
Home›Wellbeing›Healthy Living›All you need to know about the Silent Killer; Hypertension

All you need to know about the Silent Killer; Hypertension

February 10,2019
Share:

Hypertension also known as high blood pressure is often referred to as the Silent Killer because many individuals may have the disease without even knowing it.

Your blood pressure is dependent on the amount of blood your heart pumps and the level of resistance your heart has to pump against present in your arteries.

Blood pressure varies and may increase with activity and decrease at rest. It may also vary slightly with each heartbeat. High blood pressure left uncontrolled could lead to a series of life-threatening health problems.

Most individuals with hypertension have No Symptoms. Early in the disease some individuals may present with dull headaches and in more advanced cases dizziness and nosebleeds may occur.

A simple test to check blood pressure should be done periodically (at least every 2 years). Blood pressure is measured with a device known as a sphygmomanometer which is made up of an inflatable arm cuff and a pressure-measuring device.

The blood pressure reading consists of two numbers (systolic/diastolic). The upper number indicates systolic pressure which measures the amount of pressure generated by the heart when pumping blood through the arteries while the lower or diastolic pressure measures the amount of pressure in the arteries between heartbeats when the heart is at rest.

Blood pressure is considered to be normal when it is recorded to be below 120/80 mmHg (mm of Mercury) although more recent data has shown that 115/75 mmHg should be considered as the acceptable normal reading.

The risk of cardiovascular disease increases once blood pressure rises above the normal level.

Blood pressure readings found in Prehypertension range between 120-139 mmHg systolic and 80-89 mmHg diastolic. In Stage 1 Hypertension readings range between 140-159 mmHg systolic and 90-99 mmHg diastolic. Stage 2 Hypertension is the most severe form with systolic pressures of 160 mmHg or more and diastolic pressures of 100 mmHg and above.

There is no identifiable cause of hypertension in more than 90% of cases. This form of hypertension is referred to as Essential or Primary Hypertension. When hypertension is as a result of an underlying cause, it is referred to Secondary Hypertension.

Underlying causes of secondary hypertension include Kidney and Adrenal disease, Thyroid disorders, Abnormal blood vessels, Sleep Apnoea and Pre-eclampsia. Certain drugs such as Oral contraceptives, decongestants and pain relievers may also lead to secondary hypertension. Illegal drugs like cocaine and amphetamines may increase blood pressure too.

Primary hypertension tends to develop gradually over time while secondary hypertension may develop rapidly with very high pressure readings. Hypertension in children is uncommon and is usually as a result of an underlying condition.

The major risk factors for developing hypertension are Race as the black race has the highest incidence of hypertension than any other ethnic group; Age as the risk increases with advancing age; Sex as the incidence is higher in men than women under the age of 60 years but the reverse is the case after this age; Family History shows that hypertension tends to run in some families. Other risk factors which are controllable include Obesity and Inactivity because with more weight an increased blood supply is needed to deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues which increases pressure on the arterial walls.

The fat deposits also produce chemicals injurious to the heart and blood vessels; Smoking leads to damage of the arterial walls which encourages cholesterol plaque formation and nicotine found in cigarettes may constrict blood vessels creating a greater resistance against the heart’s pumping action; Alcohol consumed excessively over time may damage the heart; Stress episodes may lead to temporary high blood pressure and may also encourage habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol and overeating which are known to contribute to high blood pressure; Sodium Sensitivity predisposes individuals to fluid retention so salt should be used sparingly; Inadequate Potassium intake leads to sodium retention.

High blood pressure is commonly detected during routine medical checks but a single reading is not enough to diagnose the condition.

An individual is considered hypertensive if 2 or more consecutive blood pressure readings are found to be high weeks or months apart. In the past, doctors and healthcare professionals focused on high diastolic pressure leading to end-organ damage but of recent it has been appreciated that high systolic pressure is equally important.

Individuals with a normal diastolic blood pressure and an elevated systolic pressure have Isolated Systolic Hypertension (ISH). If a person is found to be hypertensive tests such as Urinalysis, Blood tests, Electrocardiogram (ECG), Ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), angiography or nuclear scanning may be carried out to help determine the extent of damage or a possible underlying cause.
Complications as a result of high blood pressure include damage to arteries, thickening of the left ventricle of the heart, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and metabolic syndrome.

Uncontrolled hypertension may affect memory, the ability to learn and the ability to think. In addition, hypertension has been linked to dementia and cognitive decline.

Treatment is aimed at preventing complications associated with high blood pressure. This includes the use of medications and alterations in certain lifestyle choices.

A blood pressure reading below 140/90mmHg is usually the aim but in patients with kidney disease or diabetes, the aim is a pressure below 130/80mmHg. Medications used for the treatment of hypertension include Diuretics which act on the kidney to encourage elimination of sodium and water thus reducing blood volume.

These are the first line of treatment and are often the most effective; Beta-blockers block the effect of adrenaline-related chemicals which helps reduce heart rate and the pumping force of the heart; Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors act by relaxing blood vessels by blocking the production of the chemical responsible for constricting blood vessels and is commonly used in patients with coronary artery disease, kidney failure or heart failure; Angiotensin II receptor blockers help block receptors for the chemical responsible for constricting blood vessels; Calcium channel blockers (Calcium antagonists) work to relax the muscles of the blood vessels and slow heart rate.

Some doctors may prescribe a combination of these drugs or may add Alpha Blockers or Vasodilators to treatment.

Lifestyle changes include eating a healthful diet, restricting salt intake, exercising, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol and caffeine intake, stopping the habit of smoking, managing stress and getting enough sleep.

TagsAllurehypertensionnewssilent killerVanguardWellbeing
Previous Article

Social Media Week Lagos 2019 Recap

Next Article

My Love For Davido – Sonia Nwankwo

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • Fashion & StyleLook of the day

    Look of the day: Ufuoma McDermott

    August 16, 2018
    By RITA
  • Allure MagazineEntertainmentNews

    Media personality, Mo Abudu congratulates friend who gave birth at age 51

    April 20, 2018
    By RITA
  • EntertainmentNews

    Finally,  Daniel Ademinokan allows Doris Simeon reunite with son

    June 5, 2018
    By RITA
  • Allure MagazineNews

    Nigerian Student Fashion and Design Week 2018 Unveils Ambassadors

    August 31, 2018
    By RITA
  • Allure MagazineEntertainment

    Billionaire entrepreneur, Tonye Cole gifts wife new car to celebrate wedding anniversary

    July 20, 2018
    By RITA
  • EntertainmentNews

    Actress Mercy Aigbe’s ex- husband, Asiwaju Gentry, shades her again in new post

    April 13, 2018
    By RITA
0

  • Allure MagazineNews

    Get inspired! Actress, Kiki Omeili goes retro in new natural hair photos 

  • Back To Work Looks To Pull Off
    Fashion & StyleStyle

    Back To Work Looks To Pull Off

  • Entertainment

    Ikorodu Bois & Emmanuella of ‘Mark Angel Comedy’ nominated for 2021 Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards


  • 5324
    Followers
  • 12744
    Likes

Timeline

  • February 24, 2021

    Senate confirms appointment of New EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa

  • February 24, 2021

    Lovely Photos from Lala Akindoju’s Surprise Baby Shower

  • February 24, 2021

    Tattoo Trend: Ada Ameh Hits Ka3na For Scolding Fan

  • February 24, 2021

    I’m Single But Have A Sugar Mummy – Joeboy

  • February 24, 2021

    How I lost My Mum At 5 – Nancy Isime

Categories

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Sign up to receive email updates and to hear what's going on with our magazine!

  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Comments

  • Senate confirms appointment of New EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa

    By Dami
    February 24, 2021
  • Lovely Photos from Lala Akindoju’s Surprise Baby Shower

    By Dami
    February 24, 2021
  • Tattoo Trend: Ada Ameh Hits Ka3na For Scolding Fan

    By Oluwamuyiwa Oyedele
    February 24, 2021
  • I’m Single But Have A Sugar Mummy – Joeboy

    By Oluwamuyiwa Oyedele
    February 24, 2021
  • Chioma Jesus, Sammie Okposo, Midnight Crew set for #THUGGLA2018

    By RITA
    April 24, 2018
  • American rapper, Kendrick Lamar wins Pulitzer prize for 2017 ‘Damn’ album

    By RITA
    April 17, 2018
  • Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti drops new album titled ‘Black Times’ 

    By RITA
    April 23, 2018
  • Actor, Yul Edochie declares intention to run for presidency

    By RITA
    April 23, 2018

Entertainment

  • February 24, 2021

    Lovely Photos from Lala Akindoju’s Surprise Baby Shower

  • February 24, 2021

    Tattoo Trend: Ada Ameh Hits Ka3na For Scolding Fan

  • February 24, 2021

    I’m Single But Have A Sugar Mummy – Joeboy

  • February 24, 2021

    How I lost My Mum At 5 – Nancy Isime

  • February 24, 2021

    Vector dishes advice to single women on what to do if men won’t stop touching them

Follow us