Indonesia
Fact Check: Is Hypertension a Hereditary Disease?
Hypertension, widely known as high blood pressure, is a condition where the blood pressure of Hermina Friends is above the normal threshold (130/80 mmHg). If this condition is not treated immediately, it will cause serious health conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, and even death. Therefore, it is very important for Hermina's friends to know the signs, symptoms, and appropriate treatment for hypertension.
Causes of Hypertension
Hypertension is a condition where blood pressure increases. This condition can occur for years without the sufferer realising it. Most people do not realise they have hypertension until symptoms appear that are already affecting their health.
Blood pressure is divided into two parts, systolic and diastolic. Systolic pressure is the pressure when the heart pumps blood throughout the body, and diastolic pressure is the pressure when the heart reacts to receive blood before pumping it back throughout the body. A person is said to be hypertensive when the systolic pressure exceeds 140 mmHg and the diastolic pressure exceeds 90 mmHg.
Based on the cause, hypertension can be divided into two types, including:
- Primary hypertension
is a type of hypertension whose cause tends to be unknown; primary hypertension usually develops gradually over years. Several factors that can trigger this include genetic factors, an unhealthy lifestyle, obesity, and others.
- Secondary Hypertension
is a type of hypertension caused by various conditions or other types of disease that can occur suddenly. The following conditions can cause secondary hypertension:
- Kidney illness
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
- Excessive production of the hormone aldosterone (Conn's Syndrome)
- Excessive production of the hormone cortisol (Cushing's syndrome)
- Adrenal gland tumor
- Thyroid problems
- Use of certain medications, such as decongestants, birth control pills,
- or corticosteroids
- Use of illegal drugs.
Hypertension Symptoms
Hypertension is often referred to as the silent killer or a disease that kills silently. In the early days of hypertension, patients rarely experience symptoms, so they are rarely aware of them. However, there are several general symptoms that are often felt by hypertension sufferers, including:
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Chest pain
- Out of breath
- Heart beat
- Visual impairment
- Nosebleed
- Ears ringing
Hypertension Risk Factors
There are several factors that can increase Hermina's friends suffering from hypertension, including:
- Elderly
- Pregnant mother
- Having a family with hypertension
- Obesity
- Frequently consume foods high in salt
- Smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages
- Unhealthy lifestyle
Prevention of hypertension
Hermina's friends can do several things to prevent hypertension by changing their lifestyle, stopping smoking and drinking alcoholic drinks, reducing consumption of foods with high salt levels, exercising regularly, and going on a diet.
If Hermina Friends feel that there are symptoms that indicate hypertension, immediately consult a specialist in internal medicine at the nearest Hermina Hospital. Hermina friends can also consult a doctor online via the Halo Hermina application.
Referensi :
1. World Health Organisation. Hypertension. Key Facts. 2019 [website].
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension.
Accessed March 31, 2021.
2. Fuchs FD, Whelton PK. High blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
Hypertension. 2020;75:285–292.