Hypertension

Hypertension

Hypertension, otherwise referred to as high blood pressure, is the elevation of pressure at which blood circulates through the body beyond the normal levels. Usually, this happens at a systolic pressure above 120mmHg and a diastolic pressure of more than 80mmHg (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2016), and progresses in stages as shown below.

Risk Factors
Race/Ethnicity
African Americans are more affected compared to other races and ethnicities. However, there is still need for more investigations to understand the reasons why the African Americans are most affected.
Overweight/Obesity
Age
The prevalence of hypertension is seen to rise with increasing age
Gender
Men and women tend to develop hypertension at different ages; men tend to develop the condition before they are 55 years while women develop the condition after 55 years.
Family History
Lifestyle Behavior
Consequences
Blood pressure can remain undetected for many years, and will only be evident after causing damage to the body. During this time it remains silent, it progresses to become chronic and results in various complications as indicated below:
Aneurysm, which is the abnormal bulging of arterial walls resulting in fatal outcomes.
Chronic Kidney Disease
Cognitive changes, including memory loss, blurred vision due to damaged eyesight and poorly coordinated speech.
Heart attack
Heart failure
Stroke
Peripheral artery disease where plagues develop in arteries.
These complications take a toll on an individual, resulting in reduced quality of life.

Prevention

Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is a major step towards preventing diabetes. This kind of lifestyle entails:
Healthy diet
Healthy weight
Physical activity
The mechanisms by which physical activity prevents hypertension are unclear but the table below indicates the propositions that can help to understand the role of exercise.

Treatment Modalities
Lifestyle changes may be recommended, and these alone help to reduce hypertension. Nonetheless, alongside these changes, it is necessary for some people to take medication as well as prescribed by a general practitioner (National Health Service, (NHS), 2016).
The treatment of hypertension takes different approaches depending on the pathophysiology of the condition. However, taking a general approach according to (), the treatment of hypertension is dependent on age and ethnicity.
Hypertensive individuals below 55 years consume the ACE inhibitor. Those above 55 years and are of African or Caribbean descent are usually given a calcium channel blocker. The course of treatment relies on an individual’s ability to manage the blood pressure because, with good progress, one can put an end to drug intake.
These drugs include:
ACE Inhibitors
These drugs inhibit the production of angiotensin-II, a factor that aids in the development of hypertension. These inhibitors achieve this goal by interjecting the process of converting angiotensin I to angiotensin II.
Diuretics
These help to eliminate sodium from the body; thereby, reducing body fluid and associated blood pressure.
Beta-blockers
These help to regulate the heart so that it works with lower force and at a reduced pace.
Subsequently, this helps to pump less blood resulting in reduced blood pressure.
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
As the name suggests, these blockers prevent the binding process of angiotensin II with its receptors; thereby, stopping the action of this hormone which leads to hypertension.
Calcium Channel Blockers
These prevent the entry of calcium into the circulatory system; hence, enabling the blood vessels to relax and lower blood pressure.
Due to the challenges associated with medication, efforts are underway to develop more effective treatment approaches to encourage adherence.
A healthy lifestyle is important and should be adopted if one wishes to lead a quality life. Such a lifestyle delays the onset of the condition reverses early-stage hypertension and prevents the occurrence of complications due to the disorder.
References
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2016). High blood pressure. Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/high-blood-pressure.
National Health Service, (NHS). (2016). High blood pressure (Hypertension). Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/treatment/#medication-for-high-blood-pressure.