According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1.28 billion adults aged 30-79 years worldwide have hypertension. Approximately 46% of adults with hypertension are unaware of it. Less than half of adults (42% of adults) have the condition diagnosed and are receiving treatment.
Arterial hypertension is the leading cause of premature death in the world. That is why it is called the "silent killer". The longer this condition remains undiagnosed and a person does not receive the necessary treatment, the higher the risk of damage to vital organs and the development of myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, kidney failure, sexual dysfunction, vision problems, and even blindness.
The only way to determine high blood pressure is to measure it.
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is measured in the arteries – the main vessels of the human body – and determines the force of blood pressure on the walls of the arteries.
When measuring blood pressure, two important values must be taken into account:
– upper – pressure on the arteries during heart contractions (systolic);
– lower – the pressure in the arteries when the heart muscle relaxes between beats (diastolic).
What blood pressure is considered normal?
– < 120/< 80 – optimal blood pressure
– 120-129/80-84 mm Hg – normal blood pressure
– 130–139/85–89 mm Hg – high normal blood pressure
– 140-159/90-99 mm Hg – arterial hypertension stage 1
Take care of yourself. If your blood pressure is higher than 140/90 mm Hg, listen to your doctor's advice and follow his or her instructions.
How to control blood pressure?
If you have high blood pressure, start by making lifestyle changes, including limiting the amount of salt in your diet, controlling your weight, exercising, and quitting smoking and alcohol.
If you have diabetes or other diseases and risk factors, your doctor will prescribe medication. Regular medication will normalize your blood pressure and improve your health.
How to measure blood pressure at home?
Be sure to buy yourself a tonometer, it will become your indispensable assistant. Choose semi-automatic and automatic models and follow measurement rules blood pressure:
– Sit comfortably on a chair. Your back should rest against the back of the chair.
– Place the cuff on your bare arm at heart level. The cuff fits snugly against your arm, but not too tight.
– The bottom of the cuff should be 1-2 cm above the elbow bend.
– The elbow and forearm are lying on the table.
– Place your feet on the floor, do not cross them.
Do not smoke or drink coffee for at least 30 minutes before measuring. Measure your blood pressure while you are resting. Do not move or talk during this time.
Take measurements twice a day – in the morning and in the evening. And be sure to keep a diary of measurements. Because regular recording of blood pressure readings will help your doctor assess the effectiveness of treatment and, if necessary, adjust it.
Measuring blood pressure at home helps to detect «"white coat hypertension", when when measuring blood pressure in the doctor's office, it is higher than when measured at home, and "masked hypertension" - the opposite situation, which accounts for 23 % and 16 % cases of misdiagnosis, respectively.
Regular blood pressure measurement, adherence to doctor's prescriptions, and lifestyle adjustments will help save you from the dangerous consequences of untreated hypertension for your health. The best countermeasure against this "silent killer" will be regular blood pressure measurement and, if necessary, medical treatment prescribed by a doctor.
Based on materials from the Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine