Uncover the dangers of hypertension and learn to manage its risks with expert insights from Meri Sehat's health professionals.

Is Hypertension Dangerous?

Hypertension is considered as a "silent" killer, meaning that it may not cause noticeable symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage.

Introduction

As a South Asian, you might be surprised to know that chronic diseases like <a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/hypertension-57">hypertension</a> are more than casual dinner topics.

According to the World Health Organization, there are nearly 1.28 billion adults around the world who have hypertension. Most of them are aged 30-79 years and live in low- and middle-income countries. Nearly half of them don&rsquo;t know that they have the condition due to a lack of apparent symptoms!<a href="#accordion">[1]</a> 
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Understanding the dangers of hypertension

The lack of symptoms, however, does not mean that the condition is not serious. High blood pressure can continue to damage your body silently, leading to disability and an overall poor quality of life. For instance, reduced blood flow may translate into a loss of sexual desire and trouble getting an erection or having an orgasm.

In most cases, it may be life-threatening. For instance, narrowed or damaged arteries increase the high blood pressure stroke risk. In addition to the damage to the brain, hypertension can complicate health by causing other problems, such as coronary artery disease, metabolic syndrome, kidney failure, and retinopathy.<a href="#accordion">[2]</a> 
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<ul>
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	<h5>For Kids</h5>
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</ul>

Recently, prehypertension and high blood pressure have been increasingly reported among children and teens, possibly due to the rise in tobacco use (including exposure to secondhand smoke), unhealthy dietary choices, drug abuse, and sedentary lifestyles.

Underlying conditions, such as thyroid problems, obesity, and stress, and certain medications, such as anti-allergies and antidepressants, may also lead to hypertension. 
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<ul>
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	<h5>For Women</h5>
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</ul>

Birth control pills and hormone therapy may affect blood pressure in women. According to the CDC, 1 in every 12-17 pregnant women aged 20-44 also experiences an increase in blood pressure.<a href="#accordion">[3]</a> 
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Yes. If there&rsquo;s one thing you should not do, it&#39;s ignore or delay seeking help for your high blood pressure.

There is only one way to know if you have hypertension &ndash; measure your blood pressure. You can monitor it yourself at home. Alternatively, you can visit a pharmacy or a doctor&rsquo;s clinic to have a healthcare professional check it.

This ensures an accurate reading because a lot of things can affect your blood pressure, like what you eat or do before reading, how you sit during the reading, or if you&rsquo;re nervous about having your high blood pressure checked.

Moreover, doctors can identify potential risk factors at the same time and suggest a combination of lifestyle changes and medication to treat it.

Sometimes, it&rsquo;s little habits like a high sodium intake, sitting for long hours, not maintaining a healthy weight, or smoking that are responsible for high blood pressure. Following your doctor&rsquo;s instructions can make a big difference. 
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Conclusion

If you have concerns about your blood pressure, it&#39;s advisable to consult with a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and guidance.

Regular blood pressure monitoring and early intervention can help manage hypertension and reduce the risk of associated complications. 
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Key Takeaways

<ul>
	<li>Hypertension is called a silent killer because it usually does not cause any symptoms.</li>
	<li>Risk factors for hypertension include certain medications, obesity, underlying health problems, and a family history of high blood pressure.</li>
	<li>A timely diagnosis is crucial. Left untreated, high blood pressure can damage the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes.</li>
</ul>

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