Hypertension Dubai | 27 January 2022
High blood pressure (hypertension) can be dangerous if it’s not treated. It can put you at risk for stroke, heart failure, kidney failure and other medical problems. Changing what you eat, exercising more and taking your medicine can help you keep your blood pressure where it should be.
What is high blood pressure (hypertension)?
Blood pressure is the measurement of the pressure or force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls. When you have hypertension (high blood pressure), it means the pressure against the blood vessel walls in your body is consistently too high. High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because you may not be aware that anything is wrong, but the damage is still occurring within your body.
Your blood pressure reading has two numbers. The top number is the systolic blood pressure, which measures the pressure on the blood vessel walls when your heart beats or contracts. The bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure, which measures the pressure on your blood vessels between beats when your heart is relaxing.
For example, a blood pressure of 110/70 is within the normal range, but a blood pressure of 135/85 is stage 1 (mild) hypertension, and so on.
What are the types of high blood pressure?
Dr. Barbara Karin Vela will diagnose you with one of two types of high blood pressure:
– Primary (also called essential) high blood pressure. Causes of this most common type of high blood pressure include aging and unhealthy habits like not getting enough exercise.
– Secondary high blood pressure. Causes of this type of high blood pressure include different medical problems (for example kidney or hormonal problems) or sometimes a medication you’re taking.
What can happen if high blood pressure is not treated?
Untreated hypertension may lead to serious health problems including:
– Stroke
– Heart attack
– Peripheral vascular disease
– Kidney disease/failure
– Complications during pregnancy
– Eye damage
– Vascular dementia
Dr Barbara Karin Vela is an International Member of Royal College Of General Practitioners, UK
Hypertension Dubai | 27 January 2022