Introduction
Hypertension, also called high blood pressure, is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, and it is the top-ranked cause of disability-adjusted life years globally. In particular, hypertension causes stroke (hemorrhagic and ischemic), heart failure, heart disease (ischemic), peripheral arterial disease, dementia, disease progression, chronic kidney disease, and end-stage kidney disease. This paper aims to describe the prevalence, forms, causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of hypertension.
Hypertension is a complex and multifactorial health condition that poses significant health risks. Preventing, early detecting, and managing hypertension are crucial for reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases. Hypertension is prevalent globally and in the United States, where it is considered a pressing public health concern. This highlights the need for comprehensive strategies and interventions to effectively address the risk factors, improve detection and treatment, and mitigate their devastating impact on society.
Prevalence
Hypertension is quite common globally, and its prevalence continues to increase. According to the World Health Organization (2023), hypertension is estimated to have a prevalence rate of 31 percent worldwide, which translates to about 1.3 billion adults aged 30 to 79. In the U.S., the adult prevalence of hypertension is close to the global average of 32 percent, covering slightly over 72.2 million Americans (World Health Organization, 2023). The international standard cutoff for hypertension is >140/90 mm Hg, and based on this benchmark, the U.S. prevalence is estimated to increase to about 46 percent, or 103 million people (World Health Organization, 2023). This trend calls for immediate intervention to guarantee better outcomes for individuals and the American population.
Forms and Causes
Hypertension can be broadly categorized into primary and secondary. Primary hypertension is the most common, accounting for over 90 percent of cases (Zhou et al., 2021). The primary origin of this form of hypertension relates to genetic and environmental factors. It is also caused by inadequate physical activity and a poor diet.
Genetic factors involve the extent of phenotypic likeness among family members and the shared genetic environment, and the relation to the genome. The genetic factors are generally considered non-modifiable and manifest as a lifelong risk for cardiovascular diseases. These factors further involve old age and closely related conditions, such as kidney disease and diabetes.
However, the risk caused by modifiable factors is considered more dangerous as it is strongly influenced by lifestyle factors, which are introduced gradually in youth and early adult life. One of the critical factors is excessive sodium intake, which is positively correlated with high blood pressure. In the United States, 70 percent of the cases of unregulated sodium intake are due to the increased consumption of processed foods (Carey et al., 2019). The main processed foods with high sodium content include meat, bread, pastries, canned food, cereals, and food prepared in sit-down and fast-food restaurants. If sodium intake is reduced and regulated, the country will be able to save billions of dollars annually on health care and avoid many deaths.
Obesity is another significant risk factor, as nearly 40 percent of American adults are obese, out of which over one-third have hypertension (Kitt et al., 2019). Other modifiable risk factors include low intake of fruits and vegetables, inadequate potassium intake, food containing a high saturation of fat, physical inactivity, and consumption of alcohol and tobacco.
Secondary hypertension is a distinct and occasionally rectifiable form of high blood pressure. Carey et al. (2019) indicate that it affects only a tiny segment of the population and accounts for less than 10 percent of the cases. This form is not considered risky, meaning that if the cause can be diagnosed correctly, the patient can be treated and attain normal blood pressure. A patient can efficiently improve blood pressure control, which is characterized by significantly reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Despite environmental and genetic factors contributing to most of the risk factors of hypertension, the social determinants of health play a role in developing the condition. The social determinants of health generally comprise the societal influences surrounding birth, growth, living, and working conditions, alongside other systems that may affect healthcare services (Zhou et al., 2021). They characterize the socially described economic elements that impact people or social groups’ positions within the structured form of society. The common factors include education, income, wealth, employment/occupation, and access to health care, among other factors. For instance, the United States manifests a robust correlation between hypertension and social determinants, particularly among the minority populations of Hispanics and Blacks.
The black population has a higher level of hypertension than whites, denoted by a disproportionate increase in the risk of end-stage kidney disease and stroke. Kitt et al. (2019) state that Blacks are also highly expected to suffer uncontrolled hypertension as they have a lower blood pressure control rate while taking antihypertensive drugs. Another major factor to consider is the neighborhood facet, which has shown that people in economically constrained regions are more likely to have high blood pressure. A connection exists between residing in particular geographic regions in the U.S., especially the southeastern part, which has been found to have a higher prevalence of hypertension.
Symptoms
Hypertension cannot be detected easily, as it does not have clearly defined symptoms that people feel. It can mainly be detected by checking the blood pressure with the help of a health professional. The check is quick and painless; people can check their pressure using automated devices. However, an assessment by a health professional is critical in evaluating the risks and conditions that may be involved.
Extremely high blood pressure in the range of 180/120 or above may show through blurred vision, severe headache, and chest pain (Carey et al., 2019). Other symptoms include difficulty breathing, dizziness, confusion, abnormal heart rhythm, nosebleeds, vomiting, nausea, buzzing in the ears, anxiety, and obscured vision or other vision changes.
Prevention and Treatment
The best way to prevent and treat hypertension is to observe the recommended dietary intake and perform physical exercise. An infected person can consider transforming their lifestyle to lower high blood pressure, and the approach has mainly been practical. The dietary approach entails consuming vegetables, fruits, lean protein, legumes, nuts, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.
The diet should also comprise a low content of refined, cholesterol, and saturated fat. The food must contain a low sodium intake of about 2 grams per day, which is associated with a significant impact on blood pressure (Zhou et al., 2021). A combination of reduced sodium intake and proper dietary intake is mainly recommended among adults at a high risk of suffering increased blood pressure that can result in hypertension.
Another major step in helping manage hypertension is to enhance potassium intake, as the mineral helps reduce blood pressure. It mainly affects crime in older adults, Black people, or those with high dietary sodium intake. One can increase potassium intake by enriching their meals or using potassium supplements. However, it is preferable to eat a diet that contains potassium every day up to 4,700 mg for a 2,000-calorie food intake (Kitt et al., 2019).
Other interventions to manage hypertension include losing weight if one is overweight or obese, reducing alcohol consumption to about two drinks for men and one for women per day, and reducing smoking or using tobacco. The risks can be minimized by reducing and managing stress, treating high blood pressure, regularly checking blood pressure, and managing other medical ailments.
Furthermore, one should ensure they are physically active and do not sit continuously. This can involve swimming, running, walking, dancing, or other activities, such as lifting weights, to enhance body activity. A person can also engage in moderate levels of physical activity, which are connected to a reduced risk of hypertension. This can involve at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week or vigorous aerobic activity lasting about 75 minutes per week (Carey et al., 2019).
Strength-building exercises can be undertaken on two or more days per week. These lifestyle changes and physical activity can help prevent and lower high blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and other health problems. Apart from the dietary and lifestyle considerations, one may still need to take medication as prescribed by a healthcare professional, and it is essential not to miss or share medication.
Conclusion
Hypertension is a prevalent medical condition associated with increased blood pressure. Primary hypertension is caused by genetic, environmental, and social determinants of health and is the most common. It is mainly caused by poor dietary intake, increased sodium intake, and poor physical activity.
There are no definite symptoms of hypertension, but it can be observed by measuring blood pressure and other factors. Hypertension can best be managed through a proper dietary intake containing adequate potassium and a low sodium level. Physical activity is also recommended alongside the appropriate medication.
References
Carey, R. M., Muntner, P., Bosworth, H. B., & Whelton, P. K. (2019). Prevention and control of hypertension. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 72(11), 1278–1293. Web.
Kitt, J., Fox, R., Tucker, K. L., & McManus, R. J. (2019). New approaches in hypertension management: A review of current and developing technologies and their potential impact on hypertension care. Current Hypertension Reports, 21(6), 1–8. Web.
World Health Organization. (2023). Hypertension. Web.
Zhou, B., Perel, P., Mensah, G. A., & Ezzati, M. (2021). Global epidemiology, health burden, and effective interventions for elevated blood pressure and hypertension. Nature Reviews Cardiology, 18(18). Web.