Hypertension has become so widespread that people often forget how serious the condition really is.
In the United States alone, 70 million adults suffer from the condition. This is equal to roughly 40% of adults over the age of 25.
The number of people living with high blood pressure is predicted to reach 1.56 billion worldwide by the year 2025.
Currently, hypertension is the leading risk of death and disability worldwide.
Additionally, hypertension is responsible for up to 50% of deaths from heart disease and stroke and is a direct cause of kidney disease and kidney failure.
What Is Hypertension ?
The condition occurs when the force of the blood pumping through your arteries is too strong.
Short-term, it’s a normal sign of stress, exertion or illness. However, long-term, it can put a lot of strain on your blood vessels and heart, becoming potentially fatal.
Age, race, family history, weight, diet and habits can all play a role in the development of the condition, but the most common cause is the buildup of arterial plaque cause by a high-fat and high-sodium diet.
Other causes include:
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Kidney problems
- Adrenal gland tumors
- Thyroid problems
- Certain defects in blood vessels you’re born with (congenital)
- Certain medications, such as birth control pills, cold remedies, decongestants, over-the-counter pain relievers and some prescription drugs
- Illegal drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines
- Alcohol abuse or chronic alcohol use
Over time, hypertension can lead to serious medical conditions such as :
- chronic heart failure
- metabolic syndrome
- eye problems
- aneurysm
- heart attack
- stroke
- memory issues
Early Warning Signs of Hypertension
Often times, people with high blood pressure experience no clear-cut symptoms until the condition has reached a severe or life-threatening stage, even when their blood pressure readings reach excessively high levels.
Unfortunately, the most common symptoms are easily mistaken from other conditions and just plain aging. These include:
- confusion
- chest pains
- irregular heartbeat
- vision issues
- ear buzzing
- fatigue
...[ Continue to next page ]
Share This Post
