The Silent Killer: Hypertension

Excessive salt consumption, excessive alcohol and stressful life are among the most important causes of hypertension. Stating that 26 percent of the adult population in the world has hypertension, Near East University Hospital Cardiology Department Head Prof. Dr. Hamza Duygu states that this rate will reach 2025 percent in 29.

High blood pressure, or hypertension as it is called in medicine, is an abnormally high pressure condition that the blood in the arteries exerts on the vessel wall. The risk of hypertension increases especially in people who have high blood pressure in their first degree relatives, who are overweight, have a physically sedentary lifestyle, consume too much salt, drink excessive alcohol, have a stressful lifestyle, and patients with diabetes or kidney disease. prof. Dr. Hamza Duygu said, “Hypertension is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. Hypertension can lead to stroke, vision loss, heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure, and arteriosclerosis in all other arteries. The study conducted by the Turkish Ministry of Health revealed that hypertension is the cause of one out of every four deaths in Turkey.

Causes hypertension, stroke, heart failure, and stiffness in the arteries

Stating that studies show that high blood pressure increases the development of stroke seven times, the development of heart failure six times, and the development of arteriosclerosis in the heart vessels four times, Prof. Dr. Hamza Duygu stated that high blood pressure is one of the most modifiable risk factors for all diseases. prof. Dr. Duygu said, “Even lowering blood pressure by 1 – 2 mmHg in patients with high blood pressure provides a significant reduction in deaths from cardiovascular diseases. To give an example, 5–5 mmHg reduction in diastolic blood pressure with 6 years of treatment reduced the probability of strokes by 42 percent and the probability of developing events due to occlusions in the heart vessels by 16 percent.

About 32 percent of the population has hypertension.

Stating that 26 percent of the adult population in the world has hypertension, Prof. Dr. Hamza Duygu states that there is a prediction that this rate will reach 2025 percent in 29.

Studies conducted in Turkey show that approximately 32 percent of the population has hypertension. This rate is around 36% for women and 27.5 percent for men. The prevalence of hypertension also tends to increase with age. prof. Dr. Hamza Duygu on the subject: “The prevalence of hypertension in people between the ages of 35 and 64 is 42 percent. In terms of gender distribution, it is 35 percent in men and 50 percent in women. While hypertension is seen at a rate of 65 percent in people over 75 years old, these rates are 65 percent in men over 67.2 years old and 81.7 percent in women, according to gender distribution.

Diagnosis of hypertension

Hypertension is defined as systolic blood pressure greater than 140 mmHg (14 cmHg) and/or diastolic blood pressure above 90 mmHg (9 cmHg). Do not drink cigarettes, tea or coffee half an hour before the blood pressure measurement, take the measurement after resting for five to ten minutes in a quiet room, use a blood pressure device of appropriate width and length (in standard conditions, to wrap at least 80 percent of the arm circumference, 35 cm long and 12-13 cm wide), the arm is completely bare, the sphygmomanometer is kept at heart level, there is 1-2 minutes between two measurements, the first measurements are taken from both arms (whichever is higher is accepted), and In the elderly and diabetic patients, blood pressure should be measured while sitting and standing. In addition, it is important to measure at least twice for an accurate diagnosis.

Hypertension Symptoms

In about 90-95% of patients with high blood pressure, no cause can be found. Only 5-10 percent of patients develop high blood pressure due to certain diseases such as kidney disease, hormonal diseases, congenital stenosis of the aorta, drugs and respiratory arrest during sleep. prof. Dr. Hamza Duygu said, “Since this type of high blood pressure responds less to conventional drug therapy, the main thing is the diagnosis and treatment of the underlying disease. When the underlying disease is treated, high blood pressure can regress or it can be easier to control high blood pressure. Uncomplicated high blood pressure often causes no symptoms. High blood pressure is also called the "silent killer" because it progresses insidiously without symptoms and can only be diagnosed when it causes complications. Symptoms of high blood pressure; We can summarize it as headache, tinnitus, dizziness, lightheadedness, nosebleeds, loss of concentration, especially in the morning, felt in the neck and back of the head.” uses expressions.

 Hypertension Treatment methods

Treatment of high blood pressure is divided into two main groups: lifestyle changes and drug therapy. Lifestyle needs to be changed to prevent hypertension. It is important not to smoke, to maintain an ideal weight, to avoid physical exercise, excessive consumption of alcohol and salt, to consume foods rich in fruits and vegetables, but low in red meat and saturated fats.
prof. Dr. Hamza Duygu continues as follows regarding lifestyle changes: “Excessive salt consumption, which is one of the most important factors to be emphasized here, is an important factor that increases blood pressure and is the cause of hypertension in three of every ten adults. In a study conducted by the Turkish Hypertension and Kidney Diseases Association in 2008, it was determined that daily salt consumption in Turkey is higher than in other countries. While the recommended average daily salt amount is about 6 grams, the average daily salt intake in Turkey is 18 grams per person. To give an example, if salt intake were halved, approximately 2.5 million lives could be saved worldwide from stroke and heart attack in one year.