High blood pressure, a term that is almost a household name in modern society, is like a lurking thief, always ready to pose a threat to people's health.
Especially for people over 35 years old, hypertension is not only a health indicator that needs to be vigilant, but also an invisible killer that affects the quality of life.
But, did you know that not all high blood pressure is the same, and some types of high blood pressure are more dangerous than others and require special attention.
1. Classification of hypertension and its harms
When it comes to high blood pressure, people may think of dizziness, red face, and even more serious cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. But there is much more to the classification of hypertension than that.
In medicine, hypertension is divided into two categories: primary and secondary, with essential hypertension accounting for more than 90%, which is a type of hypertension with no clear cause.
Secondary hypertension is caused by other diseases, such as kidney disease, endocrine disease, etc. These classifications may sound abstract, but they are relevant to everyone's life and how we prevent and treat high blood pressure.
The dangers of high blood pressure are not limited to the increase in blood pressure itself. Long-term high blood pressure can cause damage to the heart, brain, kidneys and other organs, and then lead to serious complications such as myocardial infarction and stroke.
Moreover, high blood pressure is still an "invisible" problem, and many people have quietly increased their blood pressure without obvious discomfort, and by the time they find it, they may have missed the best time for treatment.
2. H-type hypertension: a double risk of blood pressure
Of all the classifications of hypertension, type H hypertension is undoubtedly the most important to pay attention to. It refers to hyperhomocysteinemia with high blood pressure, which sounds very technical, but its harm is very close to life.
Homocysteine is an amino acid, and when its level in the blood is elevated, it may cause vascular endothelial damage and vascular smooth muscle hyperplasia, which in turn leads to arteriosclerosis and increases the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
In a recent case, a patient who had been taking antihypertensive drugs for a long time stopped taking the medication after his blood pressure stabilized, resulting in an increase in blood homocysteine levels, the formation of blood clots, and eventually myocardial infarction. Although prompt treatment is not life-threatening, it is enough to remind us of the dangers of H-type hypertension.
Treatment of H-type hypertension requires a reduction in the level of homocysteine in the blood in addition to controlling the blood pressure itself. This is usually achieved by taking medications such as folic acid, along with dietary changes to reduce the intake of methionine-rich foods, eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, and use blood pressure medications wisely under the guidance of a doctor.
3. Occult hypertension: a subtle threat
In the world of hypertension, there is an "invisible assassin", and it is occult hypertension.
In this type of hypertension, blood pressure may appear normal during the day but quietly rises at night, and this "nocturnal hypertension" is recognized by the medical community as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.
Studies have shown that relying solely on daytime blood pressure readings, we may underestimate a patient's true blood pressure status and risk. Therefore, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring has become the gold standard for diagnosing occult hypertension.
In a study published in the Journal of Hypertension, scientists found that even when blood pressure was controlled within the normal range during the day, the incidence of cardiovascular disease was significantly higher in people with elevated blood pressure at night than in people whose blood pressure remained normal throughout the day.
This means that for patients with occult hypertension, a one-time blood pressure measurement is not enough, and blood pressure monitoring for a week is needed to reveal the true face of blood pressure.
The key to the treatment of occult hypertension is early diagnosis and early treatment. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, people should take antihypertensive medications as prescribed and monitor their blood pressure regularly, especially at night. In addition, patients should also improve their lifestyle, such as eating a reasonable diet and exercising moderately, which are important aspects of blood pressure control.
4. High pulse pressure hypertension: the invisible killer of blood vessels
High pulse pressure hypertension may not be as familiar as "high blood pressure", but its harm should not be underestimated. Pulse pressure, the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure, should be normal at 30 to 40 mm Hg. When the pulse pressure exceeds this range, especially if it is persistently high, it can cause additional pressure on the walls of blood vessels, accelerate vascular aging, and increase the risk of cardiovascular events.
A study in the European Heart Journal pointed out that high pulse pressure is an important predictor of cardiovascular disease, and excessive pulse pressure can lead to arteriosclerosis and increase the burden on the heart, which can lead to serious consequences such as angina pectoris and myocardial infarction.
For the management of high pulse hypertension, in addition to conventional antihypertensive therapy, lifestyle adjustments should be made to reduce salt intake, increase potassium intake, and moderate aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking and swimming, to enhance the adaptability of the cardiovascular system.
For such patients with high blood pressure, doctors usually recommend regular cardiac function tests, such as electrocardiogram, cardiac ultrasound, etc., as well as an assessment of blood vessel elasticity, so as to detect and treat possible cardiovascular problems in time.
In addition, patients should work closely with their physician to adjust their treatment plan to the individual situation to ensure that blood pressure is within the ideal range.
5. Life management of hypertensive patients
In the treatment of hypertension, medication is important, but life management is also indispensable. A study from the Chinese Journal of Circulation showed that proper dietary adjustment and regular physical activity can significantly lower blood pressure and reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.
In terms of diet, a low-salt and low-fat diet has become the consensus of doctors. Excessive salt intake can lead to water retention, increasing the burden on the heart, which can lead to an increase in blood pressure.
A high-fat diet is the cause of atherosclerosis, and in the long run, the elasticity of blood vessels decreases, and blood pressure naturally rises. Therefore, medical experts recommend that patients with high blood pressure should reduce the intake of meat and fried foods, and increase vegetables and fruits, especially potassium-rich foods such as bananas and potatoes, which can help eliminate excess sodium from the body, thereby lowering blood pressure.
In terms of exercise, moderate aerobic exercise is another effective means of lowering blood pressure for patients with high blood pressure. A study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology showed that regular moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, swimming, cycling, etc., can enhance myocardial function, improve blood vessel elasticity, and contribute to long-term stability of blood pressure.
Of course, the type and intensity of exercise need to be determined according to the specific situation of the patient, and excessive exercise should not be avoided to avoid adverse consequences.
In terms of medication, taking medication as prescribed by your doctor is the cornerstone of controlling high blood pressure. Patients need to understand that the treatment of hypertension is a long-term process, and it is not possible to stop the drug or change the medication regimen because the blood pressure is normal for a while. Doctors usually develop an individualized medication plan based on the patient's blood pressure level and risk of complications.
epilogue
In conclusion, hypertension is a chronic disease that requires lifelong management. Through scientific lifestyle adjustment, reasonable medication and positive state of mind adjustment, we can effectively control hypertension and reduce its threat to health. Let's work together to create a healthy life without high blood pressure.