Hypertension or high blood pressure is a condition when blood pressure is consistently higher than normal. Normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg.
Hypertension is often referred to as a “ silent killer ” because it does not cause specific symptoms in sufferers but has the potential to cause serious illnesses such as stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure.
What Causes Hypertension?
There are several conditions that cause someone to suffer from hypertension, either due to genetic history or unhealthy lifestyle. The causes of hypertension are categorized as follows:
1. Primary Hypertension
Blood pressure in this condition usually develops slowly and will get worse if not treated properly. It is not yet known for sure what the factors that cause this condition are.
2. Secondary Hypertension
This condition is caused by another disease. Unlike primary conditions, secondary hypertension can also affect children.
Conditions that can cause secondary hypertension are sleep apnea , kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, blood vessel disorders, drug abuse, consumption of certain medications, and alcohol dependence.
Emotions can also cause hypertension. This condition is caused by excessive fear when meeting a doctor. This condition is called white coat hypertension .
Symptoms and Risk Factors of Hypertension
The following are some symptoms that generally appear in people with hypertension:
- Bloody urine
- Dizzy
- Hard to see
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Feeling like vomiting
- Nosebleed
- Ringing in the ears
Risk factors that cause someone to easily suffer from hypertension, as follows:
- Aged over 65 years.
- Excessive salt consumption.
- Suffering from obesity.
- Family history.
- Rarely eats fruit and vegetables.
- Not exercising regularly.
- Excessive caffeine consumption.
- The habit of smoking and drinking excessive alcohol.
- Excessive stress can trigger a temporary increase in blood pressure.
- Suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, sleep apnea , and kidney disease.
How Does Hypertension Cause Chronic Kidney Failure?
Hypertension and kidney failure are related because both worsen each other's condition. Hypertension can cause kidney failure and kidney failure can worsen the hypertension that the patient suffers from.
The following is the relationship between hypertension and kidney failure in the human body, as follows:
1. Renal Blood Vessel Damage
Continuous high blood pressure can damage the arteries in the kidneys, causing them to narrow and gradually become damaged.
As a result, blood flow to the kidneys is reduced, which then has an impact on decreasing kidney function. Early kidney damage is characterized by the presence of protein in the urine.
2. Accumulation of Dirt in the Kidneys
The decline in kidney function makes it unable to filter properly. As a result, dirty fluids and sodium cannot be disposed of properly. This will have a bad impact on the kidneys and hypertension.
3. Risk of End-Stage Kidney Failure
If hypertension is not managed properly, the kidneys can lose almost all their ability to function. Patients will need dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive.
The Importance of a Healthy Lifestyle
Implementing a healthy lifestyle is one way to maintain blood pressure and kidney health. There are several ways that can be done to prevent hypertension and kidney problems, as follows:
- Control your blood pressure, for people with kidney problems it should generally be below 130/80 mmHg.
- Manage your stress and weight.
- Consume nutritious foods and reduce foods high in sodium and saturated fat.
- Be disciplined to exercise at least 30 minutes a day.
- Reduce consumption of cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.
- If you have diabetes, manage your condition so as not to worsen your kidney condition.
- Take hypertension medication as recommended by your doctor.
- Perform regular kidney function checks regularly.
Blood pressure can be too high or too low, both of which are bad for your body. So, it is important to adopt a healthy lifestyle to keep your physical health in good condition.
Don't forget to check your health regularly with a doctor so that you can get the right and fast treatment for your condition.
Article written by dr. Robby Pratomo Putra. Sp.PD (Internal Medicine Specialist, EMC Hospital, Tangerang).