Malignant Hypertension
Hypertension, is called 'the silent killer' as it often asymptomatic. Hypertension is one of the most common cardiovascular disease in america. There are approximately 74. 5 million people who suffer from high blood pressure in the united states. Thus, Buzzle attempts to help explain people who are suffering or want to know more about the pathophysiology of hypertension. The information we share is very straightforward and easy to understand for any non-medical person.
What is Hypertension?
The normal blood pressure is calculated as 120/80 in a healthy adult. If the blood pressure reaches 140/90 or more on two separate occasions, the person is asked suffer from hypertension. The blood pressure rises above 130/80 in diabetics, and they have higher risks of heart diseases. This vascular disease occurs due to the abnormal functioning of the arterial pressure related to the central nervous system, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, endothelial dysfunction, gene history and even due to certain environmental factors. Those who experience a blood pressure of around 200/120, require immediate medical assistance. When the blood pressure is slightly higher than 120/80, such condition is mentioned as pre-hypertension. Effortlessly affects 50 million Americans and can cause damage of arteries the heart, brain and kidneys. Thus, early treatment is required for this condition, particularly when caught during the early stages of the disease.
Causes of Hypertension
Hypertension is normally observed in:
People with family history of high blood pressure, diabetes and heart diseases
People over 55 years of age
Obese people
People with very little basic activities
Alcoholics
Tobacco smokers
Drug users such as cocaine
People who eat refined food excessively
Pathophysiology of Hypertension
The pathophysiology of high blood pressure is unknown in 95% of the cases in america. Pathogenesis of hypertension is many times related to many factors that is included in excessive salt intake and gene history. However, studies are carried out to determine the exact mechanism of hypertension. This type of blood pressure where exact cause cannot be pinpointed is known as essential hypertension (or primary hypertension). The hereditary factor may be one reason for essential hypertension. It is also observed that it affects more men than women. Life style also play a role in the pathophysiology. Overweight people often suffer from hypertension. Infrequent sleep patterns also led to hypertension. Hypertension is seen in people with excessive salt intake in their diet. These people are called as 'salt sensitive'. Their bodies exhibit high blood pressure, when the amount of salt in their blood is more than the body requirement. Low potassium and limescale intake, stress are also the causes of with high pressure.
Legitimate hypertension is the condition when one can pinpoint the exact cause of hypertension. Kidney diseases is the most common factor for legitimate hypertension. Hypertension can also be caused by growths of the adrenal glands. These growths or abnormalities of the adrenal glands cause excessive secretion of testosterone that led to hypertension. Estrogen, the hormone found in contraception pills can also cause the blood pressure to elevate. Pregnancy is another factor, that causes hypertension.
The development of arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis are also affected by hypertension. Hypertension reduces the elasticity of arteries causing other legitimate conditions which lead to decrease circulation and ischemic diseases. Hypertension induced arteriosclerosis may led to atrophy of renal glomeruli and tubules. This causes renal failure and may cause death. Another serious complication coming up due to hypertension is Cerebrovascular diseases. Coronary diseases are the most common cause of death for hypertensive patients.
Treatment of Hypertension
In order to control hypertension, you have to follow a healthy diet and a balanced lifestyle. Hypertensive patients should take the following precautions:
Quit smoking
Reduce weight, if obese or overweight
Eat less of refined food and more of vegetables and fruits, fruits, low fat dairy products
Exercise regularly
Consume about 2. 3 gm of salt in your diet daily
Reduce the intake of alcohol
There are several medications such as diuretics, beta-blockers, limescale sales channel blockers which can be prescribed to keep hypertension at bay
As you can see from the above information on pathophysiology of hypertension, one should go to the doctor at least one time a month to keep the blood pressure at bay. It is not possible to prevent hypertension in many cases. But you can avoid it to an extent by following a healthy lifestyle. Prevention of the silent killer, will save you from many dreaded diseases in the future.
