by The experts of Mayo Clinic, non-profit organization dedicated to clinical practice, education and research, explain that high blood pressure has serious effects on people’s health in different ways.
“High blood pressure (hypertension) can inconspicuously damage the body for years before symptoms appear. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to disability, a poor quality of life, or even a fatal heart attack or stroke.
Damage can affect the heart, brain, arteries, kidneys, eyes, and sexual function. Below is an explanation of some of these complications:
Regarding the heart, having high blood pressure can cause the development of coronary artery disease, irregular heart rhythms or a heart attack. When the pressure is high, it forces the heart to exert extra effort and causes the left ventricle of the heart to thicken; this increases the risk of sudden cardiac death, heart failure, or a heart attack.
On brain damage, experts from Mayo Clinic They explain: “High blood pressure can also cause blood clots to form in the arteries leading to the brain, blocking blood flow and possibly causing a stroke.”
And another of the complications that high blood pressure can cause is related to erectile dysfunction. Those who have hypertension are more likely to suffer from this condition, as limited blood flow can prevent blood from flowing to the penis.
In this sense, the portal medineplus He explained the types of medicines that doctors, who are the ones who must authorize their consumption, give to patients with this problem, and how they work.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers prevent blood vessels from narrowing too much.
- Calcium channel blockers prevent calcium from entering the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels. This allows the blood vessels to relax.
- Diuretics remove excess water and sodium (salt) from your body. This reduces the amount of fluid in your blood. Diuretics are often used with other high blood pressure medications, sometimes in a single combined pill.
- Beta-blockers help the heart beat slower and with less force. This means that your heart pumps less blood through your blood vessels. Beta blockers are generally used only as a backup option or if you also have other conditions.
How to prevent hypertension?
Prevention is the key tool to lead a healthy life. People over the age of 18 should have their blood pressure checked annually and those with a history of hypertension several times a year.
Hypertension is characterized by being a silent disease, that is, those who suffer from it usually do not present symptoms. Therefore, it is important to visit a doctor regularly to take your blood pressure.
Medline Plus, website of the National Library of Medicine of the United States, highlights the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle that helps prevent and control blood pressure:
