Hypertension, a disease of older age?
- Takudzwa
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Hypertension, also commonly known as high blood pressure, is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease and death globally. It occurs when a person’s blood pressure in their artery walls is consistently high (at least 140/90 mmHg). High blood pressure can significantly increase the risk of health conditions such as stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease. Risk factors for hypertension are age (65 or older), diets high in sodium, obesity, family history, and genetics. There is no cure for hypertension as it is a chronic condition often requiring lifelong treatment and lifestyle modification.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), in 2023 an estimated 1.28 million adults aged 30-79 had hypertension. However, alarmingly, only 42% of adults with hypertension are diagnosed and treated. With only 1 in 5 (21%) of adults having their hypertension under control. Given the severity of hypertension, there is a need for constant monitoring of blood pressure regardless of age.
Hypertension, a disease of older age?
A common misconception about hypertension is that it is a disease of older age. However, it can occur across all adult ages. Though not unheard of, it is uncommon in adolescence. High blood pressure in young adults can be attributed to factors such as weight, genetics, and diet.
Prevention is better than cure
Lifestyle modifications can be effective tools in helping to lower elevated blood pressure:
· At least 150 minutes of physical activity weekly
· If overweight or obese, weight loss
· Monitoring salt intake (no more than 2,3 grams daily)
· Eating more vegetables and fruits
· Avoid tobacco and smoke
· Monitor alcohol intake
· Manage stress levels
What are the symptoms of hypertension?
NB: Most people who have hypertension don’t experience any symptoms. Making it a silent killer, it often has no noticeable symptoms until complications arise.
Symptoms include:
· Severe headaches
· Chest pain
· Blurred vision
· chest pain
· dizziness
· abnormal heart rhythm
· buzzing in the ears
Treatment
There are numerous hypertension medications:
· Diuretics: eliminate excess water from the body (e.g. hydrochlorothiazide)
· ACE inhibitors: prevent contraction of blood vessels (e.g. enalapril)
· Calcium channel blockers: relax blood vessels (e.g. amlodipine)
· Angiotensin-2 receptor blockers: relax blood vessels and prevent organ damage (e.g. losartan)
Uncontrolled hypertension complications
Due to the excessive pressure, hypertension can cause severe damage to the heart and other organs, like the kidneys. High blood pressure can harden arteries, leading to decreased blood flow and oxygen to the heart. High blood pressure and reduced blood flow may result in:
· heart attack (blood supply to the heart is blocked, and heart muscle cells die due to lack of oxygen)
· angina (chest pain)
· heart failure
· irregular heartbeat
Conclusion
In the case of hypertension, prevention is better than cure, as there is no cure. We are not completely helpless against this deadly foe, as there are a number of steps one can take to prevent or control hypertension. The combination of lifestyle modification and medication has proven to be clinically effective in the management of high blood pressure. One must monitor their blood pressure regularly, despite their perceived health status. In closing, we must aim to eat and live healthy lives. This does not just mean hundreds of hours in the gym and expensive diets, but it means exercising as often as you can and eating a balanced diet.
References:
2 Mills, K.T., Stefanescu, A. & He, J. The global epidemiology of hypertension. Nat Rev Nephrol 16, 223–237 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41581-019-0244-2
4 Hinton, T. C., Adams, Z. H., Baker, R. P., Hope, K. A., Paton, J. F., Hart, E. C., & Nightingale, A. K. (2020). Investigation and treatment of high blood pressure in young people: too much medicine or appropriate risk reduction?. Hypertension, 75(1), 16-22.
5 Rison S C, Carvalho C, Rull G, Robson J. Investigating hypertension in younger patients BMJ 2022; 376 :e067924 doi:10.1136/bmj-2021-067924
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