Introduction
In diagnosis and treatment, the topic of hypertension plays a vital role because it represents a health issue contributing to a variety of other problems. Hypertension occurs when the long-term force of the blood against the walls of the arteries is high; moreover, the higher amounts of blood the heart pumps and the narrower are one’s arteries, the higher is blood pressure. In order to understand this health challenge, it is imperative to identify the instances in which patients should see their healthcare providers. While hypertension may occur with no certain signs or symptoms, some individuals can experience headaches, nosebleeds, shortness of breath (Assarzadegan et al., 2013).
Although, these symptoms may also be related to other conditions. It is imperative to refer to a healthcare specialist when the symptoms reoccur and develop a pattern, suggesting that there may be some severe health consequences. Regular visits to a local care provider are essential for monitoring the fluctuations in blood tension. Adults aged 40 and older are at a higher risk of developing hypertension and thus should be more proactive in monitoring their blood pressure on a regular basis.
Main body
Uncontrolled hypertension leads to potentially adverse health consequences for patients. If unaddressed, high blood pressure results in damaged and narrowed arteries, which means that they become not as elastic and limit the blood flow throughout the entire body. Heart damage is also one of the implications of hypertension, including heart failure, coronary artery disease, and enlarged left heart. All of the conditions are associated with the inefficient or intensively hard work of the heart, which makes it more complicated for the body to manage the high pressure. Damage to the brain is another potential implication of hypertension because the health of the organ depends on the proper supply of blood to it.
Stroke can take place when a part of the brain is deprived of important nutrients, and the weakening of the blood vessels as a result of hypertension makes the brain more susceptible to improper functioning. Vascular dementia develops in the cases of the blocked arteries that supply blood to the brain (Vijayan & Reddy, 2018). Dementia is a disease affecting the brain that causes complications in speaking and thinking, as well as memory, movement, and vision.
All of these functions required a steady and healthy supply of blood to the vital organ, which is why hypertension contributes to the occurrence of the disease. Apart from brain damage, it is also important to note that untreated hypertension can contribute to the development of other diseases, ranging from kidney failures to nerve damage because of the improper supply of blood to vital organs is imperative for healthy functioning.
Conclusion
To prevent hypertension and its adverse impact on health, it is recommended to maintain a healthy weight, eat a balanced diet to include more fruit and vegetables, and reduce the intake of excess calories and sugar. People at risk of hypertension should also cut their consumption of salt and be more physically active to improve the flow of blood throughout the body. Besides, it is important to limit alcohol intake because its consumption increases blood pressure. However, one of the most important recommendations is to be proactive in monitoring one’s blood pressure on a regular basis, either at a doctor’s office or at home. This step is highly beneficial for determining whether a patient is at the stage of pre-hypertension and requires intervention.
References
Assarzadegan, F., Asadollahi, M., Hesami, O., Aryani, O., Mansouri, B., & Beladi Moghadam, N. (2013). Secondary headaches attributed to arterial hypertension. Iranian Journal of Neurology, 12(3), 106-110.
Vijayan, M., & Reddy, P. H. (2016). Stroke, vascular dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease: Molecular links. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 54(2), 427-443.