L’hypertension, or high blood pressure, is characterized by abnormally strong blood pressure on the artery walls. Under stress or during physical exertion, it is normal for blood pressure to rise. But in people with high blood pressure, blood pressure remains high at all timeseven at rest or in the absence of stress.

In the long term, high blood pressure is an important risk factor for several diseases.

• Cardiac and vascular disorders (angina, myocardial infarction and stroke). High blood pressure means that the blood puts more pressure on the walls of the arteries, which weakens them and increases the risk of the artery becoming blocked with atherosclerosis.
• Heart failure. By putting more work on the heart, high blood pressure can cause heart muscle exhaustion.
• Problems with waist (renal failure) and eyes (damage to the retina which can lead to loss of sight). Again, due to the weakening of the blood vessels.

As high blood pressure is not usually accompanied byno symptoms, a significant number of hypertensive people are unaware of their condition – which is why she is nicknamed the “silent killer”.

Prevalence

According to the World Health Organization, 30% of men and 50% of women between the ages of 65 and 75 suffer fromhypertension. Its frequency increases with age, but nowadays it affects increasingly younger populations. According to Hypertension Canada, more than 9 in 10 Canadians will have hypertension if they do not change their way of life. If the situation does not improve, it is estimated that by 2025, the number of hypertensive people in the world will have reached 1,56 billion people, an increase in prevalence of 60%.⁷⁵.

Types of high blood pressure and their causes

• Primary hypertension (or “essential”) accounts for about 90% of cases. It is caused by a multitude of factors, the effects of which accumulate over the years. The main ones are related toage, To theheredity (especially for men) and life habits. Thus, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, alcohol abuse and stress all contribute to high blood pressure. This type of hypertension most often appears gradually from the age of 50, but can also occur before this age.

   

  A strong salt intake is also associated with increased blood pressure. However, according to a survey conducted by Statistics Canada, more than 85% of men and 60% of women have an intake of salt or sodium that exceeds the recommended upper limit of 2 mg per day.¹. See the complete table of the maximum tolerated sodium intake.

• L’secondary hypertension may result from another health problem, such as a kidney or endocrine problem or a birth defect of the aorta. It can also come from the frequent use of certain pharmaceuticals, for example anti-inflammatories, which create water and salt retention, bronchodilators, which have a stimulating effect on the heart and nasal decongestants, due to the ephedrine they contain (a substance which effect resembles that of adrenaline secreted under stress). It can also come from the use of illegal drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines. Secondary hypertension comes on more suddenly and blood pressure is often higher.

Better understand blood pressure measurement

La blood pressure consists of systolic and diastolic pressures, which are measured in millimeters of mercury, or mmHg.

• La systolic pressure is the pressure of the blood when the heart contracts and sends blood through the arteries. It ensures a supply of blood throughout the body.
• La diastolic pressure is the pressure that continues to be exerted on the arteries between each contraction. At this time, the heart relaxes and regains its volume, allowing the chambers of the heart to settle. fill of blood. This pressure tends to increase with age, but past the age of sixty it gradually decreases due to weakening of the body’s blood vessels.

So, when we talk about a blood pressure of 120/80, 120 corresponds to the systolic pressure, and 80 to the diastolic pressure.

Diagnostic

Before making a diagnosis ofhypertensionblood, the doctor measures the blood pressure several times, during successive visits. Indeed, it can vary during the day depending on the activities, and vary from time to time. It is quite common that, under the effect of stress or nervousness, the tension rises significantly when a patient enters their doctor’s office and their tension drops again when they leave. This is referred to as the “white coat syndrome”. To avoid this type of reaction, the doctor may suggest that the patient measure his blood pressure himself at home, using a sphygmomanometer. The doctor may also prescribe an ambulatory blood pressure monitor (ABPM) for the patient. the MAP is a compact device that records blood pressure measurement at specific times over a 24 hour period.

Once reliable values ​​have been obtained, the doctor can make a diagnosis: a person whose blood pressure is equal to or greater than 140/90 suffers fromhypertension. It should be noted that people with diabetes or kidney disease should ideally maintain blood pressure that does not exceed 130/80.

The level table blood pressure which follows presents the standards in force in North America and England³. They fix the tension normal à 120/80 or less, and the voltage optimal à 115/75. This classification applies to adults who are not taking medication to treat high blood pressure and who do not have diabetes or kidney disease.². In Europe, the voltage is considered optimal if it is less than 120/80⁷⁴.

Remark

In the event that the systolic pressure measurement and that of the diastolic pressure correspond to two different levels, the doctor takes into account the level corresponding to the upper value to assess the state of blood pressure.