High blood pressure is one of the most widespread chronic diseases in the world, and simultaneously one of the most dangerous, not because of its obvious symptoms, but because they are often absent. For this reason, it is called the “silent killer,” as it can cause serious, life-threatening complications without the patient experiencing any early warning signs.

What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood against the walls of the arteries as it is pumped from the heart to the rest of the body. It is measured as two numbers:

• Systolic pressure: when the heart muscle contracts.
• Diastolic pressure: when the heart muscle is relaxed.

Blood pressure is considered normal when it is around 120/80 mmHg, while high blood pressure is diagnosed when readings repeatedly exceed 140/90 mmHg.

Why is it called the silent killer?

The danger of high blood pressure lies in the fact that it often doesn’t cause obvious symptoms in its early stages. A person may live for many years with the condition without realizing it, until sudden complications such as:

• Heart attacks
• strokes
• kidney failure
• weak eyesight
• Heart failure

Therefore, late detection of the disease increases its severity and makes it more difficult to control.

Causes of high blood pressure

The causes of high blood pressure are divided into two types:

1. Primary (essential) hypertension

It is the most common type, and it does not have a clear direct cause, but it is linked to several factors such as:

• aging
• genetic factors
• weight gain and obesity
• Lack of physical activity
• Excessive salt intake
• Stress and psychological pressure
• Smoking

2. Secondary hypertension

Other diseases can also result from this:

• kidney diseases
• thyroid disorders
• Adrenal gland diseases
• Some medications

Possible symptoms

In many cases, there are no symptoms, but when blood pressure rises significantly, the patient may experience:

• severe headache
• dizziness
• Blurred vision
• heart palpitations
• Nosebleeds
• shortness of breath

The appearance of these symptoms requires immediate medical attention.

Complications of high blood pressure

If blood pressure is not controlled, it can lead to:

• Heart diseases: enlarged heart muscle, heart failure, angina pectoris.
• Brain: Strokes, cerebral hemorrhage, memory impairment.
• Kidneys: Chronic kidney failure.
• Eye: Retinal damage and vision loss.
• Blood vessels: Arteriosclerosis.

How is the disease diagnosed?

Diagnosis is made through:

• Measure blood pressure more than once and at different times.
• Monitoring home blood pressure.
• Conducting tests and examinations to evaluate the heart and kidneys.

Prevention and control of blood pressure

The good news is that high blood pressure can be prevented and controlled by:

A healthy lifestyle:

• Reduce salt in food
• Eat vegetables and fruits
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Exercise regularly
• Quitting smoking
• Reduce stress

Drug therapy:

The doctor may prescribe medications to regulate blood pressure, and these should be adhered to and not stopped without consultation.

The importance of regular check-ups

Regularly measuring blood pressure is the simplest and most important step in prevention. A simple check can save a life.