Systemic arterial hypertension or high blood pressure is a cardiovascular disease that occurs when the systolic blood pressure is greater than or equal to 140 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) and the diastolic blood pressure is greater than or equal to 90 mmHg (140/90 mmHg).
THE systolic blood pressure (PAS) is the pressure exerted by blood on the artery during systole, that is, when the heart muscle contracts.
already the diastolic blood pressure (DBP) is the pressure exerted by the blood in diastole, that is, during the relaxation of the heart muscle.
In Brazil it is estimated that 25% of the population is hypertensive. Hypertension is a risk factor for the emergence of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack and stroke.
Hypertension symptoms
In most cases, hypertension has no symptoms, making it difficult to identify the disease. Generally, they usually appear in more advanced stages, they are:
- chest pains
- Headache
- Dizziness
- ringing in the ear
- Weakness
- Blurry vision
- nosebleed
Causes of Hypertension
Hypertension has a hereditary cause in about 90% of cases, although there are several risk factors, such as:
- smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Obesity
- Stress
- Excess salt consumption
- High levels of cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Stress
- Sedentary lifestyle
In addition, it is also known that the incidence of hypertension increases with age and is greater in:
- Black people;
- Men up to 50 years old;
- Women over 50 years old;
- Diabetics.
Read too:
- Blood pressure
- Cardiovascular system
- arteries
- Human heart
- Blood vessels
Classification in adults
In general, pressure is considered normal with values 12 x 8 or less, when it is above 14 x 9 it is diagnosed as hypertension.
| Classification | SBP (mmHg) | DBP (mmHg) |
| Normal | ||
| prehypertension | 120 - 139 | 80 - 89 |
| Hypertension | ||
| Stage 1 | 140 - 159 | 90 - 99 |
| Stage 2 | > or equal to 160 | > or equal to 100 |
Complications of Hypertension
Hypertension can lead to several types of health complications:
- Vascular injury;
- Changes in the geometry of arteries, such as decreased lumen, thickening of the walls and even ruptures;
- Heart: Cardiac muscle hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure;
- Kidneys: intraglomerular hypertension that can lead to kidney failure;
- Brain: Thrombosis, hemorrhages, aneurysm.
Hypertension treatment and prevention
High blood pressure is not curable, but it can be controlled through specific medications.
In addition, for prevention, it is essential to adopt lifestyle changes, such as:
- Lose weight and/or maintain proper weight
- Decrease salt intake
- Exercise regularly
- Do not smoke
- avoid stress
- Drinking alcoholic beverages moderately
- Avoid fatty foods
- control diabetes
Also read about
- Degenerative Diseases
- systole and diastole
- Public Health in Brazil
