THE SERIOUS DANGERS OF HYPERTENSION (HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE)

Hypertension Dubai | 25 March 2022

High blood pressure is usually a chronic condition that gradually causes damage over years. But sometimes blood pressure rises so quickly and severely that it becomes a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment, often with hospitalization.

In these situations, high blood pressure can cause:

– Blindness

– Chest pain

– Complications in pregnancy (preeclampsia or eclampsia)

– Heart attack

– Memory loss, personality changes, trouble concentrating, irritability

or progressive loss of consciousness

– Severe damage to the body’s main artery (aortic dissection)

– Stroke

– Sudden impaired pumping of the heart, leading to fluid backup in

the lungs resulting in shortness of breath (pulmonary edema)

– Sudden loss of kidney function

 

If your high blood pressure is caused by lifestyle factors, you can take steps to reduce your risk:

– Lose weight

– Stop smoking

– Eat healthily

– Exercise

– Lower your salt intake

– Reduce your alcohol consumption

– Learn relaxation methods

If your high blood pressure is caused by disease or the medicine you take, talk to Dr. Barbara Karin Vela. She may be able to prescribe a different medicine. Additionally, treating any underlying disease (such as controlling your diabetes) can help reduce your high blood pressure.

The best way to lower blood pressure begins with changes you can make to your lifestyle to help lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease. Additionally, Dr. Barbara Karin Vela may prescribe medicine to lower your blood pressure. These are called antihypertensive medicines.

The goal of treatment is to reduce your blood pressure to normal levels. Dr. Barbara Karin Vela may prescribe medicine that’s easy to take and has few, if any, side effects. This treatment is highly successful. If your blood pressure can only be controlled with medicine, you’ll need to take the medicine for the rest of your life. It is common to need more than one medicine to help control your blood pressure. Don’t stop taking the medicine without talking with Dr. Barbara Karin Vela. Otherwise, you may increase your risk of having a stroke or heart attack.

Dr Barbara Karin Vela is an International Member of Royal College Of General Practitioners, UK

Hypertension Dubai | 25 March 2022