Blood Pressure: Vital but Not Without Risk
Blood pressure is the force that drives blood through the arteries to the organs, supplying them with oxygen and nutrients. Although it is generated by the heart's pumping action, its values also depend on the elasticity of the arteriesand the resistance they offer to blood flow. It is essential for life, but when it is too high, it can be harmful in the long run.
What is arterial hypertension?
Hypertension is defined as a persistent elevation of pressure in the systemic arteries. It is a condition that generally does not cause noticeable symptoms, but over time, it can damage the arteries and the organs they supply.
In 90-95% of cases, it is classified as primary or essential hypertension, meaning its exact cause is unknown. The remaining 5-10% of cases are secondary hypertension, which results from an identifiable underlying cause.
Hypertension is very common. It is estimated that one in three people over the age of 30 has it, and its prevalence increases with age. While it is uncommon before the age of 30, after 60, it affects two out of three people.
However, many people are unaware that they have hypertension. This happens because we often assume that if we feel fine, everything must be in order, trusting that our bodies will alert us if something is wrong. But the statistics are clear: it is estimated that nearly half of people with hypertension do not know they have it.
Primary or Essential Hypertension
Primary or Essential Hypertension is the most common form of high blood pressure, making it especially important to understand. Although its exact cause is unknown, its development results from a complex interaction between environmental, behavioral, genetic, hormonal, and physiological factors, including the cardiovascular system and the central nervous system.
From a practical standpoint, there are two key aspects to consider:
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Family history: If your parents have hypertension, especially if they developed it before the age of 40, your risk of developing it at some point in life is higher.
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Lifestyle: Daily habits play a more significant role than one might think. Factors such as diet, alcohol consumption, sleep patterns, and physical inactivity have a crucial impact on the development of hypertension.
The Silent Damage of Hypertension
Hypertension acts silently and insidiously. It typically “does not hurt” or cause obvious symptoms, yet during the years of elevated blood pressure, it gradually damages organs such as the kidneys, heart, brain, and eyes. This accumulated damage can eventually manifest as heart failure, vision loss, cognitive decline, or arrhythmias.
The sequence of events often unfolds as follows:
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We go about our lives without worrying about this issue, especially if we have little contact with doctors or are unaware of our blood pressure levels.
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Over time, some people develop hypertension without realizing it.
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For years, high blood pressure causes progressive damage to the body.
Most people discover they have high blood pressure by chance—usually during a routine medical check-up for another reason or when using a family member’s blood pressure monitor. Others, less fortunate, only find out after suffering a serious event such as a stroke or heart attack.