What is Hypertension?

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is the high pressure of blood in the blood vessels against the vessel wall. Blood pressure, briefly the blood pressure applied to the vessel walls, is determined by the amount of blood pumped by the heart of the person, as well as the amount of resistance shown against the blood flow in the arteries or veins.

Systolic, popularly known as systolic blood pressure, is the pressure when the heart contracts, and diastolic, known as diastolic, is the pressure when the heart relaxes. Everyone over the age of 18 should have a resting normal systolic blood pressure of 120mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure of 80mmHg. Hypertension can be diagnosed if systolic blood pressure is higher than 140mmHg and diastolic blood pressure is higher than 90mmHg in three separate measurements. Because people do not show any symptoms for years, they can live their lives without knowing that they have hypertension.

What are the Symptoms of Hypertension?

Hypertension may not show any symptoms in some patients, but in this process, it can cause serious damage to our organs such as heart, kidney and brain. Symptoms such as shortness of breath, heart palpitations, chest pain, dizziness and headache, weakness, fatigue, frequent urination, nosebleeds, visual distress, ringing in the ears, and edema in the body are the most common symptoms.

What are the Causes of Hypertension?

In the vast majority of hypertension patients, approximately 95%, there is no specific cause, but environmental and genetic factors, high salt consumption, sedentary life, and overweight are common conditions that cause hypertension. In addition to these, conditions such as kidney diseases, birth control pills, thyroid diseases, heart diseases, sleep apnea, smoking and alcohol consumption, stress can cause hypertension, although not frequently. The risk of hypertension increases after a certain age. Hypertension is usually seen in adults, but children are also at risk. Although the cause of its occurrence in children is usually kidney and heart diseases, it can also be caused by reasons such as poor nutrition and lack of exercise.

What are Hypertension Treatments?

Hypertension can also be the cause of other diseases and pose some risks for us. These diseases and risks can be stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, clot, atherosclerosis, kidney failure, heart failure, heart attack and aneurysm enlargement and rupture. For this reason, hypertension is a disease that needs to be diagnosed early, prevented from progressing and treated with the right methods. Drugs have an important place in the treatment of hypertension, and apart from this, adherence to the diet and continuity of exercise, and reduction of smoking and alcohol consumption, which are under the control of the patient, are also very important in terms of the effectiveness and efficiency of the treatments.

Our patients, who reach wrong results by measuring blood pressure at home and try to lower their blood pressure with hearsay information, should consult our specialist for the most accurate information. Our internist will determine the most suitable drug for your treatment, draw an appropriate plan for diet and exercise treatments, and, if necessary, cooperate with a dietitian to help you create a more efficient diet and exercise program.