Hypertension is one of the most common diseases of contemporary times and can affect almost all ages without exception. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns of the prevalence of this disease and assures that it is “one of the main causes of premature death in the world.” We speak of hypertension when the blood pressure in the blood vessels is considered high, that is, when the blood pressure reaches “values greater than 136 – 86-89 mmHg” as stated in this monograph from La Vanguardia. Exceeding the aforementioned values is considered hypertension and, in turn, it can be categorized as grade I, grade II or grade III or severe depending on its severity. On the contrary, ideal blood pressure is considered when the parameters are equal to or less than 120 mmHg maximum and 80 mmHg minimum.
Hypertension can be caused by different factors. From genetic causes to an unhealthy lifestyle in which a diet lacking nutrients, rich in salt and excessive alcohol consumption predominates. Suffering from hypertension has serious health risks associated with it, such as, as stated by the WHO, “chest pain, myocardial infarction, heart failure or irregular heart rhythm.” Furthermore, hypertension is considered a risk factor for the development of cognitive diseases. Not in vain, high blood pressure “affects all the arteries and among them the cerebral ones,” as highlighted by the specialized science portal Elsevier. In other words, the brain is an organ that is highly dependent on blood flow; If blood risk is inadequate, cognitive development is particularly vulnerable to the long-term negative effects of high blood pressure.
Having blood pressure above levels considered normal can have symptoms that are difficult to detect. Sometimes the symptoms can be very strong and constant headaches, general malaise that results in vomiting and nausea, or changes in vision. Of course, the easiest way to detect if you suffer from hypertension is to take your blood pressure through a blood pressure monitor. If you detect abnormalities in the parameters, it is recommended that you visit your family doctor to monitor your pressure and issue the treatment that he or she considers most appropriate.
