The Daily Pill is a series of very short daily posts where I share the definition of a medical term I think we should all know. Read it every morning and build up your medical vocabulary.
Hypertension
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a chronic condition where the force of blood against the artery walls is consistently too high. Blood pressure has two components: systolic (pressure during heartbeats) and diastolic (pressure between beats). Hence the two numbers: 120/80.
Hypertension can be primary (with no identifiable cause), or secondary )due to underlying conditions like kidney disease or endocrine disorders). Either way, persistent high blood pressure strains the heart and damages blood vessels, leading to complications such as heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and vision loss.
🤔Why you need to know:
Because its the silent killer. A.K.A. It will kill you silently, over a few decades. Without you noticing it. You will not know you have high blood pressure unless you measure it. Treatment is very simple and once you get it under control, your risk goes down to baseline - as if you didn’t have it.
Risk factors include genetics, age, obesity, high salt intake, lack of physical activity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption. Management involves lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, weight loss), and medications like diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers. Regular monitoring and early intervention are crucial for preventing long-term complications.
🧠Trivia:
About 46% of adults with hypertension are unaware that they have the condition. Don’t be one of them. Among those diagnosed, only about 42% receive treatment. Don’t be one of them either.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). Hypertension. Retrieved from WHO website.