Hypertension: An Ailment That Silently Kills Its Sufferer Before Going For The Kill -By Isaac Asabor

If there is any ailment that can be personified by saying that it is very secretive, it is unarguably hypertension, also called High Blood Pressure, and equally called High BP for short. Most of the time, high blood pressure (HBP, or hypertension) has no obvious symptoms to indicate that something is wrong. Against the foregoing backdrop, not a few medics have for the umpteenth time urged the people that the best ways to protect themselves are being aware of the risks and making changes that matter. Thus, more often than not hypertension does debilitating damage to various organs before it finally unleashes the final blow on its victim.

Given the foregoing backdrop, little wonder not a few medics often warn that many people with high blood pressure do not even know they have it. Often the signs and symptoms are misunderstood as it develops slowly over time and can be related to many causes, thereby blurring medical diagnosis despite the fact that it can be managed effectively through lifestyle changes and, needed medication.

As gathered from a publication titled, “High blood pressure dangers: Hypertension’s effects on your body” and posted on its website, the Mayo Clinic, a medical outlet that has the mission of inspiring hope and contributing to health and well-being by providing the best care to every patient through integrated clinical practice, education, and research, and boasts of the primary value that says, “The needs of the patient come first” stated that “High blood pressure (hypertension) can quietly damage the body for years before symptoms develop.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to disability, poor quality of life, or even a deadly heart attack or stroke.”

It explained that hypertension can damage the arteries as healthy arteries are flexible, strong, and elastic, and added that their inner lining is smooth so that blood flows freely, supplying vital organs and tissues with nutrients and oxygen.

Not only that, the reputable medical platform says High blood pressure (hypertension) gradually increases the pressure of blood flowing through the arteries, and in that vein highlighted damages that hypertension may cause.

It was further explained that hypertension damage and narrow the arteries. Damaged and narrowed, even as it can damage the cells of the arteries’ inner lining. It added that when fats from the diet enter the bloodstream, they can collect in the damaged arteries. Eventually, the artery walls become less elastic, limiting blood flow throughout the body.

Still, in the same vein, it says over time, the constant pressure of blood moving through a weakened artery can cause a section of its wall to enlarge and form a bulge (aneurysm) and explained that an aneurysm can potentially rupture and cause life-threatening internal bleeding. Aneurysms can form in any artery, but they’re most common in the body’s largest artery (aorta).

As gathered, high blood pressure can cause many heart problems, including Coronary artery disease. Arteries narrowed and damaged by high blood pressure have trouble supplying blood to the heart. Too little blood flow to the heart can lead to chest pain (angina), irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), or a heart attack.
Enlarged left heart. High blood pressure forces the heart to work harder to pump blood to the rest of the body. This causes the lower left heart chamber (left ventricle) to thicken. A thickened left ventricle increases the risk of heart attack, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death.
It says, over time, the strain on the heart caused by high blood pressure can cause the heart muscle to weaken and work less efficiently. Eventually, the overwhelmed heart begins to fail.

Not only does hypertension damages the heart, it also damages the brain which notably depends on a nourishing blood supply to work properly. High blood pressure may affect the brain in various ways.

One of the ways is by resulting in a Transient ischemic attack (TIA). Sometimes called a ministroke, a TIA is a brief, temporary disruption of blood supply to the brain. Hardened arteries or blood clots caused by high blood pressure can cause TIA. TIA is often a warning sign of a full-blown stroke.

For the sake of clarity, stroke occurs when part of the brain does not get enough oxygen and nutrients, causing brain cells to die. Blood vessels damaged by high blood pressure can narrow, rupture, or leak. High blood pressure can also cause blood clots to form in the arteries leading to the brain, blocking blood flow and potentially causing a stroke.
The platform also threw light on what dementia is all about. Dementia. It says dementia is narrowed or blocked arteries that can limit blood flow to the brain, leading to a certain type of dementia (vascular dementia), and added that a stroke that interrupts blood flow to the brain can also cause vascular dementia.
It also explains that Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a transition stage between the changes in understanding and memory that generally come with aging and the more-serious problems caused by dementia and that studies suggest that high blood pressure can lead to mild cognitive impairment.

At this juncture, it is expedient to say that this piece may be surprising to many as the writer is not a medical doctor. That notwithstanding, I must confess that I was inspired to express this view as today, May 17, 2023, is World Hypertension Day.

In fact, I was particularly inspired by the theme of 2023 World Hypertension Day which is, “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer”, which focuses on combatting low awareness rates worldwide, especially in low to middle-income areas, and accurate blood pressure measurement methods.
Beyond the razzmatazz, it is expedient to urge the government and non-governmental organizations to rev up awareness machinery that can be operated throughout the year in informing people on what they need to do to avoid becoming victims of hypertension as it has remained a silent killer. To me, educating the public and increasing awareness of hypertension should be a continuous effort and not just a one-off event that is on May 17.

The reason for the foregoing advocacy cannot be farfetched as hypertension is a major cause of a range of health problems such as strokes, heart attacks, and kidney disease, and can also contribute to dementia. Particularly of concern is that many people who suffer from hypertension are not aware that they have it as there can be no symptoms. Often people only find out after suffering a heart attack or stroke.

Given the foregoing, it is germane to urge the government to continuously enlighten the public on actions to take against hypertension as treatment and lifestyle changes can help control high blood pressure to reduce the risk of life-threatening complications. Little wonder it is condemnably described to be an ailment that silently kills its sufferer before going for the kill.