On an ordinary weekend, Uncle Zhang, a 68-year-old retired teacher, performs a routine blood pressure measurement at home. Over the years, he has been taking care of his health, and blood pressure measurement has become an integral part of his daily life. On this day, he noticed an anomaly – his systolic blood pressure (often called "high pressure") was significantly higher than normal, while his diastolic blood pressure (or "low pressure") was unexpectedly low. This unusual blood pressure reading confused Zhang Bo and also triggered him to think deeply about his own health.
Chamber's case is not unique. In fact, similar situations are not uncommon in middle-aged and older people, but they are often overlooked. The fluctuations and abnormalities behind blood pressure, an important indicator of the health of the heart and blood vessels, sometimes reveal deeper health problems. For Zhang, this abnormal blood pressure reading became the starting point for him to learn more about his own health, especially his heart health.
Blood Pressure Basics: Decoding the Health Signals of the Heart and Blood Vessels
Blood pressure readings are represented by two numbers, systolic and diastolic. Systolic blood pressure is the pressure of blood on the walls of blood vessels when the heart contracts, while diastolic blood pressure reflects the pressure at the heart when it relaxes and blood returns. A normal blood pressure reading is about 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg), where 120 is systolic and 80 is diastolic.
However, when systolic blood pressure rises to 140 mmHg or more, and diastolic blood pressure is below 80 mmHg, this phenomenon is called "high systolic blood pressure-low diastolic blood pressure". It may be the result of a combination of factors such as weakened blood vessel elasticity and increased burden on the heart, posing a potential threat to health.
Why is blood pressure management especially important for middle-aged and elderly people? As we age, blood vessels naturally lose some of their elasticity, and the range of blood pressure fluctuations increases. Uncontrolled hypertension is an important risk factor for a variety of cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and more. Therefore, the monitoring and management of blood pressure has become one of the key measures to maintain the health of middle-aged and elderly people.
Abnormal blood pressure isn't just a numbers game. It reflects the interaction and state of health between the heart and blood vessels. The gap between systolic and diastolic blood pressure is known as pulse pressure in the medical community. A normal pulse pressure should be maintained at around 40 mmHg. Pulse pressure that is too high or too low can be an indication of an underlying health problem.
Heart valve disease: the threat of silence
Heart valve disease, a medical term that may sound distant and complex, is actually closely related to our health. In a nutshell, heart valve disease involves the dysfunction of the heart valves, which play a vital role in controlling the proper flow of blood within the heart. When valves are damaged or failing, the heart becomes less efficient and can lead to serious health problems in the long run.
There are two main types of heart valve disease: valve stenosis (insufficient valve opening) and valvular regurgitation (valve closure that does not close tightly and blood flows backwards). Each type affects heart function and blood flow in different ways. For example, aortic stenosis, which restricts blood flow from the heart to the body, and mitral regurgitation, which causes blood to flow back to the lungs can gradually compromise heart health and lead to a complex set of health problems, if left unchecked.
Occult signal of valvular disease
Recognising the symptoms of heart valve disease is essential for early detection and treatment, but the challenge is that early heart valve disease may not show obvious symptoms, or its symptoms may be mistaken for part of normal aging. Common symptoms include fatigue, difficulty breathing, chest pain, palpitations, fainting or near-fainting sensations, and swelling of the legs. These symptoms may be exacerbated during physical activity because the heart needs more blood to support the body's activity.
It is especially important to note that as we age, heart valves may become stiff due to calcification, a natural aging process that can lead to valve dysfunction. Therefore, middle-aged and elderly people with the above symptoms should be highly alert for the possibility of heart valve disease.
Diagnosing heart valve disease is usually done with an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiography), a painless and noninvasive test that shows in detail how the heart valves are moving to help doctors determine if there is an abnormality in the valves. In addition, depending on your symptoms and the results of a physical exam, your doctor may recommend other tests, such as an electrocardiogram or magnetic resonance imaging of the heart, to further evaluate the function and structure of the heart.
Knowing the basics of heart valve disease and recognizing its symptoms is important health information that everyone should have. Especially for middle-aged and elderly people, as they age, it is more important to pay attention to these diseases and take preventive measures. This involves not only regular health check-ups, but also maintaining a healthy lifestyle such as eating a balanced diet, exercising moderately, and avoiding smoking. For patients who have been diagnosed with heart valve disease, it is important to follow the doctor's recommendations for treatment and regular follow-up to monitor the progression of the condition and adjust the treatment plan in a timely manner.
In summary, although heart valve disease may be difficult to detect in the early stages, by understanding its underlying symptoms and staying vigilant, we can greatly improve the likelihood of early diagnosis and treatment. This is a race against time, and the early detection and intervention can ensure our heart health and quality of life.