High blood pressure symptoms can vary between people. The disease is considered silent, as it may not present symptoms over the years.
However, it increases the risk of other cardiovascular and kidney diseases, in addition to being commonly associated with other chronic problems and events such as sudden death, stroke, heart attack, heart failure and peripheral arterial disease.
The data also shows that, in the last 30 years, the number of hypertensive people has doubled. In 2019, the number of hypertensive people in the world reached almost 1.5 billion.
In the early 1990s, there were approximately 650 million individuals diagnosed with this medical condition.
Understand more about the symptoms of this disease below.
What is high blood pressure?
Arterial hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a chronic medical condition characterized by increased blood pressure levels in the arteries.
But how high is the pressure? This occurs when the maximum and minimum values reach or exceed 140/90 mmHg — better known as 14 by 9.
High blood pressure means that the heart has to exert greater effort than usual to ensure adequate distribution of blood throughout the body.
This condition represents one of the main risk factors associated with the development of serious complications, such as stroke, heart attack, formation of aneurysms in the arteries, and kidney and heart failure problems.
Main causes of hypertension
According to the Ministry of Health, in 90% of cases it is hereditary, but there are other factors that influence blood pressure levels.
Processed foods, saturated fats and sugar can contribute to high blood pressure.
“A serious behavioral problem is the excessive consumption of table salt. The Brazilian population consumes an average of 12g of salt per day”, says doctor and general surgeon Leonardo Emilio.
Tobacco use can also temporarily increase blood pressure and increase the risk of developing hypertension in the long term. Additionally, drinking excessively can increase blood pressure.
Other reasons for hypertension may be overweight, sedentary lifestyle, stress and aging.
What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?
“There is great concern when we talk about high blood pressure because people who have it may not feel anything at all”, warns neurosurgeon Fernando Gomes.
“If you don’t carry out continuous measurements and are in the habit of seeing a doctor, you may not make a diagnosis and will have to deal with complications later”, he adds.
However, for people who experience hypertension, there are several symptoms that may be experienced. Understand below.
- Chest pain: May occur as a result of increased blood pressure as the heart is working harder to pump blood against increased resistance in the arteries. This pain can be confused with angina or other heart problems;
- I miss the nut: it can be a symptom associated with hypertension, especially when there is excessive blood pressure in the arteries that supply the brain;
- Headache: High blood pressure can cause frequent and intense headaches, often located in the back of the head. These headaches are known as tension headaches;
- Weakness: the feeling of weakness may occur due to the additional effort that the heart needs to make to pump blood against the resistance of the narrowed arteries;
- Dizziness: can be a symptom of hypertension, especially when blood pressure is very high and affects blood flow to the brain;
- Palpitations: a person with hypertension may experience heart palpitations, as the heart works harder to compensate for high arterial resistance;
- Blurred or doubled vision: High blood pressure can affect the blood vessels in the eyes, leading to vision problems such as blurriness or double vision;
- Ringing in the ear: Ringing in the ear, known as tinnitus, can be experienced by people with hypertension due to the impact of increased blood pressure on the blood vessels in the ear;
- Nausea: some individuals with symptoms of high blood pressure may experience nausea, which may be caused by poor blood circulation or the effects of high blood pressure on the digestive system;
- Nosebleed: Very high blood pressure can lead to weakening of the nasal blood vessels, resulting in occasional nosebleeds.
What are the risk factors for high blood pressure?
High blood pressure is a chronic condition with multiple risk factors, such as genetic and behavioral factors.
According to the Ministry of Health, the main risk factors for high blood pressure are: inadequate diet based on ultra-processed foods, harmful use of alcohol, smoking, overweight and obesity, in addition to physical inactivity.
“It is estimated that one third of cases of hypertension are related to obesity, which, through various mechanisms, contributes to the occurrence of the disease, being considered one of its main risk factors, both in adults and children”, says Leonardo .
What are the consequences of high blood pressure for the body?
Sustained high blood pressure can lead to greater effort from the heart to distribute blood throughout the human body.
In a chronic form, it exerts an overload on the cardiovascular system and can damage vital organs over time.
This is one of the main risk factors for the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke, acute myocardial infarction, arterial aneurysm and loss of kidney function and heart failure.
When to see the doctor?
According to basic health guidelines, it is advised that people have routine check-ups with a doctor at least once a year.
During these appointments, your doctor will measure your blood pressure to see if it is within healthy limits.
If you have known risk factors for high blood pressure, such as a family history of the condition, obesity, smoking or excessive alcohol consumption, you may need to see a doctor more frequently to monitor your blood pressure.
If you experience symptoms of high blood pressure, such as chest pain, persistent headache, severe dizziness, blurred vision, frequent nosebleeds, or shortness of breath, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
How to control high blood pressure?
High blood pressure has no cure, but it can be controlled through treatment with medication and the adoption of healthy eating and physical activity habits.
In addition to the medications currently available, which should only be adopted based on medical recommendation, the Ministry of Health recommends weight control, reducing the consumption of salt and industrialized seasonings.
Still regarding food, the consumption of ultra-processed foods should be avoided, prioritizing natural foods and increasing the consumption of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, fish, poultry and oilseeds.
Fruits such as banana, pear orange, tangerine, papaya, guava, avocado and melon contribute to greater potassium intake, which can help manage blood pressure.
Frequently asked questions
How much salt should we eat per day?
The recommended amount of sodium (salt) intake may vary depending on health guidelines and a person’s individual health.
However, in general, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other health organizations recommend limiting daily sodium intake to less than 2,000 milligrams (2 grams) per day, which is equivalent to less than 5 grams of table salt. .
That’s approximately one teaspoon of salt.
Is hypertension hereditary?
High blood pressure may have a genetic predisposition, which means that the tendency to develop it can be passed down from generation to generation.
Having first-degree relatives, such as parents or siblings, with hypertension increases a person’s risk of developing the condition.
However, genetics is not the only factor. Lifestyles, such as diet, physical activity levels, and smoking, also play a significant role in the development of hypertension.
Therefore, even if there is a genetic predisposition, it is important to adopt a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk and control blood pressure.
Is high blood pressure during pregnancy dangerous?
Gestational hypertension, which occurs during pregnancy, can be dangerous for both the mother and the fetus. High blood pressure during pregnancy can lead to preeclampsia, a serious condition that can cause damage to organs such as the liver and kidneys and affect the growth of the fetus.
It is essential that pregnant women have regular blood pressure tests and follow medical advice to monitor and control gestational hypertension.