Let's measure it at least in May, as half of the patients are not even aware that they have high blood pressure!
Arterial hypertension or high blood pressure is one of those health problems that can be largely alleviated by yourself - of course with a healthy lifestyle. In fact, it is the most common preventable cause of death worldwide (causing 9.4 million deaths each year). We will hear this assurance many times in May, especially on May 17, World Hypertension Day.
High blood pressure (arterial hypertension) is defined as a disease, but it is also one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease with the occurrence of heart attack, stroke and kidney disease. If left untreated, hypertension can result in death or various serious medical complications: heart attack, stroke, dementia, kidney failure, vision failure ... High blood pressure is the cause of one third of all atherosclerotic cardiovascular events, and due to hypertrophy of the heart muscle and subsequent dilatation of the heart, it is also the cause of half of all forms of heart failure.
The best in Gorenjska - beware, Carinthians!
Lifestyle factors that significantly affect the increase in blood pressure (especially with increasing age) are excessive salt intake, lack of physical activity, insufficient consumption of vegetables and
fruit, excessive alcohol consumption, overweight and obesity, and stress. These are factors that are very common among Slovenians, so it is not surprising that we record a high incidence of arterial hypertension.
Measure your blood pressure at least in May
World Hypertension Day has been extended to a month-long campaign of global blood pressure measurements, with which they plan to measure the blood pressure of as many people as possible worldwide in May. The World Hypertension League recommends that everyone measure their blood pressure at least once a year - be it in May, when we are often warned of this danger.
High blood pressure - a silent killer
Almost every fourth adult in the world (almost 1.8 billion people in total) lives with hypertension. Even if we do not feel health problems, we should pay attention to our blood pressure, as it has been called a "silent killer" for a reason - research shows that half of patients with hypertension are not even aware that they have high blood pressure. Among those who are aware of this, however, half do nothing to control their blood pressure through lifestyle changes or medications. This means that 75% of the world's hypertensive patients are at increased risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and sudden death.
So May is the right month for us all to take an important step for our health and measure our blood pressure as soon as possible, and to encourage people around us to do the same. And then?
If the blood pressure is below 120/80 mmHg (meaning that the systolic blood pressure is lower than 120 mmHg and the diastolic blood pressure is lower than 80 mmHg), this is normal blood pressure. It needs to be maintained and measured every year.
If the blood pressure is lower than 140/90 mmHg and higher than 120/80 mmHg, there is a risk that hypertension will develop. We can prevent this by improving our lifestyle.
10 tips for healthy blood pressure
1. Achieve and / or maintain a healthy weight!
2. Exercise regularly!
3. Enjoy lots of fruits and vegetables every day!
4. Treat yourself to at least 7 hours of quality sleep every day!
5. Limit salt intake!
6. Limit your fat and sugar intake!
7. Quit smoking!
8. Limit caffeine intake!
9. Don't drink too much alcohol!
10. Relax!
However, if the blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or more, a visit to a doctor is necessary to determine if there is a risk of hypertension and if treatment is needed to prevent the onset of a stroke or heart disease.
Measurement month - May
The World Hypertension League calls: “Please measure your blood pressure at home, at a doctor's office, at a hospital's health center or at a pharmacy. Write down your blood pressure and heart rate, preferably 3 times 1-2 minutes apart ”.
