Systemic Hypertension: Causes, Effects, and Treatment Options

Did you know earlier hypertension was only witnessed in older individuals? However, nowadays, it is impacting people across all age groups. The biggest reason behind this is lifestyle factors, like poor diet, lack of exercise, job-related stress, and increased use of digital devices. Hypertension is a dangerous health condition because it often has no noticeable symptoms. This is why in this blog we will discuss systematic hypertension, the risk factors for hypertension, its effects, and the management of hypertension.

What is Systemic Hypertension?

Systemic hypertension occurs when the blood pressure in the systematic arteries, that carry blood from the heart to your body’s tissues, excluding the lungs, is elevated. This causes your heart to work harder to circulate blood. This term can be used interchangeably with high blood pressure. Hypertension is often considered a “silent killer” because it typically shows no symptoms until significant damage has been done. However, despite its silent nature, it is essential for you to understand the etiology of hypertension, its effects, and the management of hypertension to lead a healthier life and avoid life-threatening health problems. Systemic hypertension is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

What are the Causes of Hypertension?

The etiology of hypertension or the underlying causes, can vary. Some of the risk factors of hypertension, including both genetic and environmental factors are mentioned below:

High Salt Intake

At some point in your life, you must have come across people who enjoy salty foods. Well, you must be surprised to know that this is one of the major causes of hypertension. Excessive intake of sodium can lead to fluid retention, which raises blood pressure.

Poor Diet

If you do not have a balanced diet, including an adequate amount of proteins, vitamins, and minerals, then you are increasing the risk factors for hypertension.

Physical Inactivity

Lack of regular physical activity is a significant contributor to hypertension. A sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of obesity, which is one of the common risk factors for hypertension.

Mental Health

Stress is one of the major contributors to hypertension. In today’s fast-paced world, people are stressed about every little thing in their lives, causing anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. Prolonged stress can cause hormonal changes that lead to elevated blood pressure.

Family History 

If you have a family history of hypertension, it can increase the likelihood of developing high blood pressure.

Understanding the Effects

Untreated hypertension can have a range of detrimental effects on your health. Some of them are mentioned below: 

Heart Diseases

High blood pressure can lead to a variety of severe heart-related problems, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, and heart attacks. This occurs due to the high pressure in the arteries, causing your heart to work harder.

Stroke

Elevated blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in the brain, leading to a rupture or clot formation, both of which can cause strokes.

Kidney Damage

The kidneys are one of the body's most sensitive organs, and high blood pressure can have serious consequences. Prolonged high blood pressure can harm your kidneys and even cause kidney failure because the small blood vessels in the kidneys narrow and become less efficient.

Vision Loss

High blood pressure can cause damage to the blood vessels in your eyes, leading to vision problems, such as retinopathy, or even complete vision loss in extreme cases.

How Can You Treat Hypertension?

The management of hypertension involves a combination of lifestyle changes and medication. Managing high blood pressure is crucial for preventing complications like heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Here are some of the best approaches that can help you. 

Lifestyle Modifications

Making changes to your lifestyle can significantly help lower your blood pressure. This particularly includes: 

• Having a balanced and healthy diet
• Reduce your salt intake 
• Engage in physical activities 
• Limit your alcohol consumption 
• Quit smoking

Medications

If your doctor believes that you are in need of medications, then he or she would recommend the following:

• Diuretics: Help reduce fluid retention.
• ACE Inhibitors: Help relax blood vessels.
• Beta-Blockers: Reduce the heart's workload.
• Calcium Blockers: Helps in reducing your heart rate.

Make sure you don’t skip your dosages as it can impact your health.

Hypertensive Urgency

In cases where blood pressure rises to dangerous levels, but there is no immediate organ damage, the condition is referred to as hypertensive urgency. Treatment may involve oral medications to gradually reduce blood pressure.

Wrapping Up

Systemic hypertension is a widespread health condition with potentially life-threatening consequences if left untreated. However, regular monitoring of blood pressure, along with adopting a healthy lifestyle and following prescribed medications, can help you deal with the condition and also prevent the serious complications of high blood pressure.

At Niva Bupa, we understand how important it is to have access to quality healthcare and the tools you need to live a healthier life. That’s why we offer comprehensive medical insurance plans designed to meet your specific needs, ensuring you have the right resources to manage and maintain your well-being.

FAQs

What is the cause of systemic hypertension?

Poor lifestyle and high sodium intake are one of the main contributors to hypertension.

What is normal systemic blood pressure?

Most adults' normal blood pressure is defined as a systolic pressure less than 120 and a diastolic pressure less than 80.

What is the difference between pulmonary hypertension and systemic hypertension?

Systemic hypertension occurs when the force of your blood moving through your blood vessels is excessively high. Pulmonary hypertension occurs when the force of blood moving through the lungs' blood vessels exceeds normal levels.