Home
Why are there more hypertensives today?
4:24
(CNN) --
Nearly half of American adults suffer from hypertension, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Hypertension, also called high blood pressure, is a major contributor to heart disease and stroke, which are the leading causes of death worldwide.
In the US, 1 in 5 adults with hypertension do not know they have it.
How common is hypertension and why is it important to diagnose it?
How is it treated?
Besides medications, what lifestyle factors can help reduce hypertension?
For people who have just been diagnosed with hypertension, what is the most important thing to change first?
To learn more about the topic, I spoke with Dr. Leana Wen, CNN wellness expert, emergency physician, and adjunct professor at George Washington University.
She was previously Baltimore's health commissioner.
CNN: Let's start with some facts. What is hypertension, and how can high blood pressure lead to health problems?
Dr. Leana Wen:
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury or mmHg.
It has two readings: systolic (the upper number), which measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats, and diastolic (the lower number), which measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats.
Hypertension is generally defined as blood pressure equal to or greater than 130/80 mmHg.
This is called stage 1 hypertension. Stage 2 occurs when blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or higher.
Hypertensive crisis occurs when blood pressure is 180/120 mmHg.
Medical treatment will vary depending on the blood pressure and the accompanying symptoms, if any.
Hypertension can damage various organs in the body.
It can damage arteries and cause heart disease.
High blood pressure can block or burst the arteries that supply blood to the brain and cause a stroke.
It is also a cause of chronic kidney disease.
People with chronic hypertension are at increased risk for other conditions, including a higher chance of developing dementia.
And hypertension can be fatal if left untreated.
According to the CDC, hypertension was the leading cause or contributor to more than 691,000 deaths in the US in 2021.
advertising
Regular Napping Linked to Increased Risk of High Blood Pressure and Strokes, Study Finds
CNN: Can people tell if they have hypertension based on symptoms?
Wen:
Some people experience symptoms such as chest pain, headaches and blurred vision.
However, these symptoms are signs of organ damage and are therefore late signs of hypertension.
Most hypertensive patients do not have symptoms.
That is why blood pressure control is so important.
CNN: Is hypertension common? Are some groups at higher risk than others?
Wen:
Hypertension is one of the most common diseases, affecting an estimated 48% of American adults.
In the United States, the percentage of hypertensive men is higher than that of women.
The disease is also more common among non-Hispanic black adults than non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics, and Asians.
The reasons for these differences are complex and include a combination of biological and social factors.
Additionally, individuals with a family history of hypertension are more likely to have it themselves, and older people are more likely to have hypertension.
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 1.28 billion adults between the ages of 30 and 79 suffer from hypertension worldwide.
Almost half of them do not know they suffer from it, and only 42% receive diagnosis and treatment.
CNN: How is hypertension treated?
Wen:
There are two general categories of treatment for hypertension: medications and lifestyle changes.
There are many types of medications approved to treat hypertension.
Among them are diuretics, which help the body eliminate excess sodium and water;
beta blockers, which reduce heart rate and therefore the workload of the heart;
and calcium antagonists and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors), which relax and open blood vessels.
There are pills that combine medications from different classes.
Some people start on one medication and then move on to another.
Others need two or more medications.
In addition to taking medications, patients diagnosed with hypertension are recommended to change aspects of their lifestyle that raise their blood pressure.
These are similar lifestyle changes that people can also use as preventive measures, that is, they can avoid hypertension in those who are not yet diagnosed with it.
How is hypertension, known as "the silent disease" diagnosed?
CNN: What lifestyle changes can people make to better control their blood pressure?
Wen:
I advise people to take inventory of five key daily habits.
First of all, what is your physical activity level?
The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly.
Studies show that even half of that recommended amount provides substantial health benefits.
People should also evaluate how often they get up to move during the day, as office workers may need additional exercise to compensate for their prolonged sedentary lifestyle.
Secondly, what is your current diet?
Is it fairly healthy, with plenty of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and grains, or does it include large amounts of saturated fats and ultra-processed foods?
Third, how much do you smoke, drink alcohol, and use other substances?
Smoking, drinking alcohol excessively, and using substances such as marijuana and cocaine can significantly increase the risk of heart disease.
They can also make it difficult to control hypertension and aggravate its negative effects.
Fourth, what is your stress level?
Studies have linked higher stress levels to increased blood pressure, as well as cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke.
Fifth, are you at a healthy weight?
Obesity is a risk factor for hypertension.
Overweight people are also more likely to suffer from hypertension.
Reducing weight through lifestyle changes and/or through medications will also result in better blood pressure control.
Reducing a teaspoon of salt from your daily diet works as well as blood pressure medication, study says
CNN: How important is each intervention? Could you rank them in order of priority?
Wen:
It depends on each person.
I would recommend that people take inventory of the five areas and then look at which area needs improvement the most, as well as which is the easiest to change.
For example, someone who doesn't exercise at all would benefit from starting some physical activity.
Another person who is quite physically active but smokes should consider quitting.
Another person who doesn't smoke but eats fast food all the time should start by rethinking their diet.
People also need to be honest about the changes they can make and maintain.
You don't have to do everything perfectly to improve your health.
Another good strategy is to start with the easiest things: changes that can be made quickly and that don't require a big lifestyle change.
Many people can't easily reduce the stress in their lives, but they may be able to start eating more fruits and vegetables.
52% of US workers say they feel stressed
CNN: For newly diagnosed hypertension patients, what is the most important thing to change first?
Wen:
This depends on each person.
I would recommend everyone ask their doctor and work with them to identify the key changes that need to be made immediately.
A person who has been diagnosed with slightly elevated blood pressure can start with just changes in their lifestyle.
On the other hand, it is essential that a person with very high blood pressure takes the medication immediately.
It is the most important intervention they should make.
In general, I would urge people not to delay taking medications if they are necessary.
Medications to reduce hypertension have been around for decades.
They are safe and effective, and there are many options so that if you experience side effects, you can switch to another.
At the same time, you can improve your living habits.
Some patients end up not having to take medications once their lifestyle habits improve.
But don't postpone the medication.
Also remember that controlling hypertension is something that you must assume as a long-term commitment to your health.
The damage that hypertension does to the body accumulates over time, but there are many measures that can be taken to control blood pressure and stay healthy and healthy.
hypertension