High Blood Pressure - Arterial Hypertension

Our arteries and veins supply the entire body with oxygen and nutrients through the blood. They also remove toxic waste products. Arterial hypertension (high blood pressure) is favored by many factors and can significantly weaken the cardiovascular system and organs. Because it often shows no symptoms for a long time, arterial hypertension is insidious. High blood pressure can also arise as a side effect of diseases, but it can also occur without any identifiable cause. In many cases, arterial hypertension is the result of an unhealthy lifestyle. This also means that it can be managed by changing one's lifestyle.

Because it is often so inconspicuous for a long time, high blood pressure is often referred to as "the silent killer." However, excessively high blood pressure values can lead to serious consequential damage - for example, cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack, stroke, or kidney failure. The insidiousness lies in the fact that the disease remains symptom-free for so long. In fact, every second adult between the ages of 18 and 79 suffers from it, as researched by the Robert Koch Institute. Arterial hypertension is therefore usually discovered incidentally during other routine examinations. An optimal value is 120/80 mmHg. At this level, all organs receive enough oxygen. To ensure that blood can flow evenly, our blood vessels are designed for elastic pressure. In cases of high blood pressure, they become stiff and thicken. A person with persistently high blood pressure has a life expectancy that is about 15 years shorter. If the upper blood pressure value (systolic value) is consistently above 140 mmHg and the lower value (diastolic value) is above 90 mmHg, it is referred to as arterial hypertension. Please also note that according to the guidelines of the High Blood Pressure League, a blood pressure of >=135 and/or >=85 mmHg is considered hypertension in home measurements. Persistently high blood pressure in the arteries damages the vessels and the heart. The vessel walls become stiffer, harden, and narrow. There is a higher tendency for arteriosclerosis, as fats and calcium accumulate at critical points. In the long term, the fine blood vessels of the brain are also affected, increasing the risk of stroke. The eyes can also be damaged.

Essential hypertension, also called primary hypertension, is present in the vast majority of hypertension cases. It is considered a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning no direct cause of the disease can be found.
Secondary hypertension is triggered by another underlying condition, such as metabolic disorders or kidney dysfunction. Vascular diseases can also lead to arterial hypertension. Typical are vascular inflammations and pathological changes in the coronary arteries. Arteriosclerosis is a particularly high risk factor for arterial hypertension. Hypertension during pregnancy also falls under the term secondary hypertension. Hypertension induced by certain medications is also referred to as secondary hypertension. When high blood pressure is diagnosed in connection with another disease, in addition to the pharmacological treatment of blood pressure, the underlying condition must be treated.

To obtain meaningful values, blood pressure must be measured at least on three consecutive days at regular intervals multiple times a day. This can potentially rule out the so-called "white coat hypertension" - also known as isolated office hypertension. In this case, the patient only shows elevated values when measured in the doctor's office. At home, blood pressure is completely normal. Furthermore, there is isolated ambulatory hypertension. In this type of hypertension, also referred to as masked hypertension, the values during office measurements are unremarkable. It often occurs in younger men who enjoy drinking alcohol, are smokers, and are prone to stress.

Risk Factors for the Development of Arterial Hypertension

High blood pressure can be genetically predisposed. However, there are several risk factors that favor the development of hypertension.
Obesity is increasingly recognized as a significant factor in the development of high blood pressure, as blood volume, stroke volume, and cardiac output have a direct correlation with body mass. With prolonged obesity, the arterial resistance of the vessels increases.
In addition to smoking, alcohol consumption, and lack of exercise, stress and excessive salt intake are also considered further risk factors for the development of hypertension.
In cases of increased stress, it is particularly the hormone adrenaline that can cause high blood pressure. This is a natural process, as adrenaline causes the smaller blood vessels to constrict. This way, more blood is available to the large muscle groups that the body needs for flight or fight in dangerous situations. However, if a person suffers from chronic stress, stress hormones can lead to chronic constriction of the vessels, which can result in persistently high blood pressure (hypertension). The causes of chronic stress are multifaceted - for example, severe psychological stress, excessive workload, or bullying.

As already described, symptoms often do not appear for a long time. Symptoms only become noticeable late. During physical exertion, blood pressure rises excessively. The higher the blood pressure, the more pronounced the complaints such as morning nausea and dizziness. Furthermore, there may be circulatory disorders in the extremities, which manifest as tingling and numbness.

Typical symptoms of hypertension include

• Dizziness
• Morning headaches
• Nosebleeds
• Tinnitus
• Palpitations
• Unclear heart complaints

Changing one's lifestyle is very important and extraordinarily promising in cases of arterial hypertension. Except for people with organic underlying conditions, blood pressure can be relatively quickly lowered. However, even people with the less common secondary hypertension benefit from lower cholesterol levels through healthy foods and more exercise. Endurance sports help to permanently lower blood pressure. Those who swim, cycle, practice Nordic walking, jog, or engage in similar activities for at least 30 minutes three times a week can immediately counteract arterial hypertension. Smokers should urgently quit smoking. It is a major risk factor for stroke and heart attack. Overweight individuals should reduce their weight. Those who enjoy alcohol should noticeably limit their consumption. A healthy diet consists of plenty of fruits, fresh vegetables, and low-fat foods. People at risk should also limit their intake of animal protein, as this can also lead to increased cholesterol levels. Ideally, affected individuals should also regularly check their blood pressure values at home.

In many cases, however, pharmacological treatment is necessary. The dosage and type of medications depend on the severity of arterial hypertension. The goal is to normalize blood pressure to below 140/90 mmHg, and for kidney patients, to a value below 125/75 mmHg. Typically, blood pressure-lowering medications such as ACE inhibitors and AT-1 receptor antagonists are used. On one hand, they have a vasodilating effect, and on the other hand, they inhibit the formation of a blood pressure-increasing hormone. For patients with kidney dysfunction, diuretic medications are administered. This also achieves good long-term results.

Related Articles:

• High Blood Pressure - Arterial Hypertension
• Blood Pressure Normal Values (Table)
• Blood pressure normal values, target values, and classification of blood pressure by age
• High Blood Pressure in Children
• Hypertension Frequency