[Health Tip] Hypertension, the 'Silent Killer' Causing Myocardial Infarction and Stroke

The number of hypertension patients is increasing every year due to aging and Westernized eating habits. According to data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of hypertension patients surpassed 7 million in 2021. Compared to 6.02 million in 2017, this is an increase of 1 million over four years.

Blood pressure reference photo. [Image source=Pixabay]

Hypertension is one of the leading causes of premature death worldwide, with about 34% of adults in Korea showing symptoms of hypertension, and 28.7% of hypertension patients are completely unaware that they have the condition.

Since there are usually no noticeable symptoms, it is easy to overlook, but if you experience headaches, dizziness, sudden shortness of breath, palpitations, tinnitus, nosebleeds that were not present before, changes in vision, or persistent swelling or numbness in the hands and feet, you should suspect hypertension.

Blood pressure is the pressure exerted when the heart pumps blood to various organs. The higher number is systolic blood pressure, which is the pressure when the heart pushes blood out, and the lower number is diastolic blood pressure, which is the pressure on the blood vessels when blood returns to the heart. It is called the "silent killer" because it causes disease without symptoms. For adults aged 18 and over, a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or higher or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or higher is diagnosed as hypertension.

The key to diagnosing and treating hypertension is to measure blood pressure accurately and monitor it regularly. When measuring blood pressure, it is best to rest for at least 5 minutes, sit in a chair with back support, and measure the arm at heart level multiple times. The average of at least two measurements taken in the morning and evening is used. However, according to a survey by the Korean Society of Hypertension, 7 out of 10 hypertension patients do not measure their blood pressure at home.

The danger of hypertension lies in the various complications it causes. It can lead to cardiovascular diseases such as arteriosclerosis, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and heart attacks; neurological diseases such as cerebral infarction, stroke, and dementia; and kidney diseases such as nephrosclerosis, renal failure, and kidney tumors that worsen kidney function.

The goal of hypertension treatment is to lower blood pressure to reduce the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Since there are various medications and the dosage varies depending on the patient's age and condition, consultation with a specialist is necessary. Dr. Yoon Seong-bo, a cardiology specialist at H Plus Yangji Hospital, said, "Hypertension and various metabolic diseases increase inflammation in blood vessels and cause problems in cellular metabolism, leading to various complications, so early diagnosis, treatment, and preventive management through health checkups are important."

For hypertension patients, taking blood pressure medication regularly is the most important. In particular, to prevent hypertension, patients should follow seven lifestyle rules: quitting smoking and limiting alcohol, eating less salty food, consuming enough vegetables and fish, exercising for 30 minutes daily, maintaining appropriate weight and waist circumference, regularly measuring and managing blood pressure, and reducing stress.

However, it is advisable to avoid exercising early in the morning. Early morning is when blood pressure is highest, and the large temperature difference can cause a sudden rise in blood pressure. If planning regular exercise, it is recommended to do suitable activities during the daytime or evening. Caution is also needed when using public baths. After using a hot bath, sudden exposure to cold air can cause vascular problems due to rapid changes in body temperature.

Dr. Yoon emphasized, "Even without noticeable symptoms, consistent management of hypertension is crucial. If left untreated, patients are exposed to the various complications mentioned above. If blood pressure suddenly rises beyond the normal range or symptoms such as headaches, tinnitus, or numbness in the hands and feet appear, it is important to visit a cardiology department for an accurate diagnosis and receive necessary treatment."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.