Introduction
The individual’s health is one of the essential values of the modern world. It guarantees the high quality of people’s lives and their ability to succeed and evolve personally and professionally. Unfortunately, numerous issues affecting the nation’s health have emerged in the last decades. It results in the increased topicality of chronic diseases and their negative impact on life expectancy and quality. For instance, high blood pressure is one of the common conditions affecting millions of people globally. I believe it is an important topic nowadays as many people suffer from it. If left untreated, it might promote multiple cardiovascular diseases and complications. For this reason, it is vital to know the major causes of hypertension, the risks associated with it, and the necessity of its monitoring.
Causes
The correct understanding of factors leading to hypertension is one of the keys to the successful struggle against it. First, some health conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease, can increase the risk of acquiring high blood pressure and its further development (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). At the same time, individuals should consider that it might develop over time because of a set of factors. The lack of physical activity is one of the leading causes of hypertension (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). Moreover, poor dietary habits with the prevalence of unhealthy foods can promote problems with blood vessels and cause increased blood pressure. For this reason, in some cases, individuals can avoid the condition through their actions.
Risks
Another problem is that high blood pressure is associated with numerous health risks. Hypertension negatively affects arteries by making them less elastic (Whelton et al., 2018). It results in decreased blood flow and problematic heart support with oxygen (Whelton et al., 2018). Individuals with prolonged and untreated hypertension might suffer from prolonged pain in the chest, heart attack, and heart failure (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). Moreover, high blood pressure is one of the major causes of stroke because of the poor supply of brain cells with oxygen (Whelton et al., 2018). Finally, it can create the basis for the development of chronic kidney disease, especially among patients with diabetes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). In such a way, numerous risks are associated with the discussed problem.
Monitoring
Under these conditions, monitoring blood pressure, especially in patients belonging to risk groups, is critical. First, individuals can use self-measured blood pressure monitoring devices available for everyone (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). They would help to notice undesired changes and address the local hospital. Moreover, it is possible to ask a healthcare professional to measure the current blood pressure and conclude about the presence of risky conditions (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). Regular monitoring can be viewed as one of the effective ways to determine the first symptoms of severer diseases and avoid heart failure, stroke, or other undesired conditions. It should also be a part of healthy lifestyles to ensure the increased quality of life and its span.
Conclusion
Altogether, the information above shows that high blood pressure is an essential condition that cannot be disregarded. It can be caused by some diseases, or unhealthy behaviors, such as poor dietary habits or lack of physical activities. If left unaddressed, it can create the basis for the emergence of numerous undesired complications, such as heart and kidney disease, heart failure, and stroke. For this reason, I believe people should focus on monitoring this aspect of their health and regularly measure blood pressure. It would help to avoid poor outcomes, preserve the quality of life, and make it longer.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). High blood pressure symptoms and causes. Web.
Whelton, P. K., Carey, R. M., Aronow, W. S., Casey, D. E., Jr, Collins, K. J., Dennison Himmelfarb, C., DePalma, S. M., Gidding, S., Jamerson, K. A., Jones, D. W., MacLaughlin, E. J., Muntner, P., Ovbiagele, B., Smith, S. C., Jr, Spencer, C. C., Stafford, R. S., Taler, S. J., Thomas, R. J., Williams, K. A., Sr, Williamson, J. D., … Wright, J. T. (2018). 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: Executive summary: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on clinical practice guidelines. Hypertension, 71(6), 1269–1324.