Arterial hypertension, also called “high blood pressure”, affects more than 38 million people in Brazil, according to the Ministry of Health. However, a third of Brazilians living with the disease are unaware of the diagnosis, according to the Society of Cardiology of the State of São Paulo (Socesp).
The condition is a major risk factor for developing other health problems such as cardiovascular and kidney disease. This Tuesday (17), World Hypertension Day, cardiologist Roberto Kalil, president of Incor and presenter of CNN Vital Signs addressed the main risks of high blood pressure in an interview with CNN .
“High blood pressure is a silent disease – 30% of the world’s population has hypertension, many don’t know it. Over 60 years of age, 50% of the Brazilian population becomes hypertensive”, says Kalil.
Among the main causes of high blood pressure are obesity, family history, smoking, excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, stress, excessive salt consumption, high cholesterol levels and lack of physical activity.
“Few people control hypertension: 50% are treated with exercise, medication and medical follow-up, but only 20% have optimal blood pressure control. High blood pressure affects the heart, brain, kidneys and is a silent disease that affects both men and women”, warns the cardiologist.
How to identify the signs of hypertension
Individuals considered to be hypertensive have blood pressure equal to or greater than 14 to 9. Among the most common symptoms are dizziness, shortness of breath, palpitations, frequent headache and change in vision.
However, hypertension is usually silent, which indicates the need to carry out the measurement periodically. People over the age of 20 should perform the procedure at least once a year. In the case of family history, it should be measured at least twice during this period. The measurement allows the timely diagnosis of the disease in routine medical consultations.
“Sometimes it can manifest with pain in the back of the neck, shortness of breath, a strange sensation in the head, but it can be silent, like the vast majority of cases”, says Kalil.
Discover five strategies to reduce the risks of hypertension
Source: CNN Brasil
