Low or high? Blood pressure is serious business
14 x 9. When these two numbers appear, it's a warning sign for hypertension, the popular high blood pressure - which is considered normal up to 12 x 8. According to the Ministry of Health, hypertension is a chronic disease that affects more than 38 million Brazilians.
But do you know how blood pressure works in your body?
It is responsible for keeping the blood circulating in the body. This process begins with the beating of the heart. With each beat, it propels the blood through the arteries. The arterial walls are elastic, stretching and relaxing in order to keep the blood circulating throughout the body at the required levels.
When blood passes through the arteries, they contract to maintain blood flow. This is where pressure comes in: it is responsible for "pushing" the blood throughout the body, including to the places furthest from where it is produced.
If there is an abnormal increase and continuous rise in the pressure that the blood exerts on the arteries, we have hypertension.
But calm down! The levels are only indicative, as it is common for pressure to fluctuate throughout the day. For example, if you're lying down, it gets lower. When we move, the brain tells the body that it needs more energy, so the values go up.
If the pressure rises beyond what is acceptable, some symptoms can appear, such as chest and head pain, dizziness, ringing in the ears, weakness, blurred vision or even nosebleeds.
The condition has no cure. Without treatment, it can lead to a stroke, heart attack or arterial aneurysm, as well as kidney and heart failure. With a doctor's advice, it is possible to control it with medication. However, it is essential to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
According to the Ministry of Health's Virtual Library, although the problem is genetic in 90% of cases, there are several other factors that influence blood pressure levels. These include smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, stress, excessive salt intake, high cholesterol levels and a sedentary lifestyle. In addition, the occurrence of high blood pressure is higher in blacks, diabetics and the elderly.
Here are some tips to prevent high blood pressure from increasing:
. Maintain the right weight for your height
. Choose other seasonings instead of salt to enhance the flavor of food
. Exercise regularly
. Take advantage of leisure time to relax
. Moderate your alcohol consumption
. Avoid ultra-processed foods and include natural foods in your diet
. Control diabetes
The diagnosis of hypertension is based on measurements during visits to the doctor. Control can also be done at home by the patient themselves, with the guidance of a professional.
IMPORTANT: In addition to adopting healthy habits, there are medications that help control blood pressure. But it's important to note that only properly qualified doctors can diagnose diseases and recommend treatments.
Keep your check-ups up to date!
Sources:
https://www.gov.br/saude/pt-br/assuntos/saude-de-a-a-z/h/hipertensao#:~:text=A%20hipertens%C3%A3o%20arterial%20ou%20press%C3%A3o,(ou%2014%20por%209).