Cases of high blood pressure (HBP) are increasing in recent years and unfortunately, it is no longer a disease uniquely associated with the elderly but with young people.
What is high blood pressure you wonder?
HBP also known as hypertension happens when a person’s blood pressure increases to unhealthy levels. Hypertension usually occurs over the course of several years and worse, might go unnoticed throughout the developmental stage. This is why it is commonly referred to as, “the silent killer” while scientifically, the type of hypertension that develops over time with no specific cause is known as primary hypertension.
Hypertension is usually accompanied by damages to other parts of the body like; the eyes, brain, kidney etc. Because of the graveness of hypertension, early detection is of high priority which is why it is advised to undergo regular blood checks.
Here are four things you should know about high blood pressure.
1. Young People Can Have High Blood Pressure Too
Nowadays, young people suffer complications from HBP. The risk of developing these complications is greater in young people who are exposed to risk factors such as obesity, smoking, and too much salt intake than those who live healthy lives.
According to American Heart Association, “Hypertension among young people is common, affecting 1 in 8 adults aged between 20 and 40 years. This number is likely to increase with lifestyle behaviors and lowering of hypertension diagnostic thresholds.” It added that patients who suffered HBP at a young age could experience cardiovascular complications in their middle age.
This explains why although there used to be a time when HBP was referred to as a disease for elderly people only. That ship has sailed as more young people are diagnosed with HBP every day.
It is important then for young people to become aware of this reality so as to embrace good medical practices like; regular blood checkups, avoiding stress, and leading a healthy lifestyle.
2. High Blood Pressure Might Be Hereditary
Individuals whose parents have a history of hypertension could be prone to the same fate most especially if both parents suffered the disease, WebMD says. However, there seems to be no concrete proof of this particular pattern.
Some other studies also imply that perhaps genetics have nothing to do with children suffering HBP like their parents. They suggest that perhaps, this occurs because the children grew up in the same environment as their parents and were being exposed to the same conditions as their parents.
3. Many People Who Have High Blood Pressure Have No Idea
Since a lot of people do not embrace the culture of regular medical checkups, they might be unaware of existing medical conditions they have such as HBP, and worse, since HBP in its developmental stage can go quite unnoticed, people living with it might not even have a clue they have the disease.
This could go on for years undetected until a crisis or severe symptoms like stroke attacks such individuals.
4. High Blood Pressure Can Be Managed
HBP isn’t a death sentence. This is because it can be managed with the right attitude and tools.
With changes to lifestyle [like exercising, good diet], and recommended medication, an individual can manage their hypertensive condition. Of course, this has to be done according to a doctor’s advice.
As mentioned earlier, one of the ways to beat the bad surprise that’s HBP is to commit to periodic blood-level check-ups as well as maintain a highly healthy lifestyle.
Also, expect that your medical doctor may also recommend dietary changes such as cutting down on sodium intake (like salt) to you.
As mentioned earlier, one of the ways to control or prevent HBP is by committing to periodic blood-level check-ups as well as maintaining a healthy lifestyle such as quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, intake of salt moderately among other health lifestyles.