The term hypertension is not unfamiliar in our daily lives. However, many people may not know exactly what kind of damage high blood pressure is to the body.
Blood pressure, in simple terms, is the pressure on the walls of blood vessels as blood flows through them. Hypertension, in which blood pressure is consistently high, is generally defined as systolic blood pressure (high pressure) ≥ 140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure (low pressure) ≥ 90 mm Hg. Long-term high blood pressure, if left uncontrolled, can have a profound impact on many systems in the body.
First of all, how does high blood pressure develop?
The development of hypertension is a complex process that usually involves the interaction of multiple factors, including the following:
1. Increased blood volume and cardiac output: When the amount of blood in the body increases, the blood vessels need to hold more blood, causing the blood vessels to dilate and the pressure on the blood vessel walls to increase. The amount of blood ejected from the heart increases with each beat, causing the blood vessels to receive more blood when they are full, causing the blood vessels to be further stretched and systolic blood pressure (high pressure) to be increased. At the same time, the increased heart rate reduces the time it takes for the arteries to drain blood during diastole, affecting the diastolic blood pressure (low pressure) and increasing it accordingly.
2. Arterial arteriosclerosis: With age or the influence of bad lifestyle habits, the walls of arteries will gradually lose their elasticity and become hardened. This hardening reduces the compliance of blood vessels, making the heart have to overcome greater resistance when ejecting blood, and in order to effectively push blood, the heart must contract more forcefully, resulting in increased blood pressure. Arteriosclerosis not only affects the physical properties of blood vessels, but is also an important cause of persistently elevated systolic blood pressure.
3. Increased resistance to peripheral circulation: In blood circulation, blood flow will be resisted by the blood vessel wall. Arterioles and arterioles are key sites for vascular resistance due to their abundance of smooth muscle tissue. When the smooth muscle of these blood vessels contracts, the caliber of the blood vessels becomes smaller, the resistance of blood flow increases, the flow rate slows down, and the blood pressure rises. Long-term high blood pressure can exacerbate this process, creating a vicious cycle.
4. Genetic factors: Familial genetics is also an important factor in high blood pressure. If a parent has a history of high blood pressure, their child is at increased risk of developing high blood pressure.
5. Lifestyle: Bad lifestyle habits, such as high-salt diet, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, lack of physical exercise, and long-term mental stress, can promote the development of hypertension. Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking can directly damage the endothelial function of blood vessels and promote arteriosclerosis, and lack of exercise and psychological stress may affect the ability of the heart and blood vessels to regulate, further promoting hypertension.
The formation of hypertension is the result of a combination of factors, including changes in physiological mechanisms, genetic background, and personal lifestyle habits. Understanding the causes of high blood pressure is essential to prevent and control the disease.
What are the effects of elevated blood pressure on the body?
Long-term high blood pressure, called persistent hypertension, can cause damage to several organs and systems in the body:
1. Heart disease: including coronary artery disease, angina, myocardial infarction (heart attack), heart failure, etc.
2. Brain damage: High blood pressure can lead to stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), dementia, and cognitive decline.
3. Kidney disease: High blood pressure is one of the main factors leading to kidney failure and chronic kidney disease.
4. Retinal damage: High blood pressure can damage the microvessels in the fundus, leading to impaired vision and even blindness, a condition known as hypertensive retinopathy.
5. Arterial damage: High blood pressure increases the stress on the blood vessel wall, which accelerates the process of atherosclerosis, causing the blood vessel to become less elastic, narrower or blocked.
6. Peripheral artery disease: Affects the blood supply to the distal parts of the body, such as the legs, which can cause pain, difficulty walking, and other problems.
7. Decreased memory and comprehension: Cognitive function may decline due to impaired blood flow to the brain.
8. Metabolic syndrome: High blood pressure is associated with insulin resistance and can increase the risk of diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity.
9. Sexual dysfunction: High blood pressure can affect a man's ability to get an erection, and may also reduce a woman's libido and satisfaction with sexual activity.
10. Sleep apnea: High blood pressure is related to sleep apnea, and the two affect each other and may cause each other's condition to worsen.
These are just some of the complications that high blood pressure can cause. Therefore, it is very important to control blood pressure within the normal range.
What are the daily behaviors of people with high blood pressure who tend to increase blood pressure?
1. Excessive salt intake: A high-salt diet causes the body to retain more water, which increases blood volume and increases blood pressure.
2. Lack of exercise: Lack of moderate physical activity can reduce heart efficiency and may increase body weight, both of which can lead to an increase in blood pressure.
3. Excessive alcohol consumption: Long-term heavy drinking can damage the heart and raise blood pressure.
4. Smoking: Smoking temporarily raises blood pressure and causes long-term damage to blood vessels.
5. Excessive caffeine intake: Excessive caffeine intake (e.g., coffee, tea, energy drinks, etc.) may cause a short-term increase in blood pressure.
6. High-fat and high-cholesterol diets: These diets increase the risk of hardening the arteries, narrowing blood vessels and leading to increased blood pressure.
7. Being under too much stress: Prolonged tension or stress can raise blood pressure.
8. Sleep deprivation: Long-term sleep deprivation is associated with high blood pressure.
9. Use of certain medications: Such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), certain cold medicines, birth control pills, and certain prescription medications may raise blood pressure.
10. Ignoring medication instructions: Patients with high blood pressure may not take blood pressure medication as prescribed, which may lead to poor blood pressure control.
To manage blood pressure, people with high blood pressure should adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes eating a sensible diet, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol intake, quitting smoking, reducing stress, and getting enough sleep. At the same time, one should follow the doctor's advice and monitor blood pressure regularly.
Although high blood pressure is silent, its harm should not be underestimated. Through lifestyle adjustments and medical intervention if necessary, we are well positioned to keep this "silent killer" out of the door, protect the health of ourselves and our families, and enjoy an active life.