Tribune News Network
Doha
High blood pressure can be dangerous as symptoms may not be obvious even when the readings reach dangerously high levels, a PHCC expert has warned on the occasion of World Hypertension Day.
The day, which is observed annually on May 17 to raise awareness of hypertension and encourage hypertension prevention, detection, and control, was marked by the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) this year under the theme ‘Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer’.
High blood pressure (hypertension) occurs when the systolic blood pressure is equal to or above 140 mm Hg, and the diastolic blood pressure is equal to or above 90 mm Hg, explained Dr Wael Beshir Halim, family medicine specialist at PHCC’s Al Daayen Health Centre.
Genetic factors, severe obesity, weight gain, not getting enough physical activity, smoking, as well as excessive consumption of fast food and food that is too high in sodium, are all reasons behind developing high blood pressure.
Further, eating small amounts of foods high in potassium and vitamin D, such as yoghurt, bananas, fish, green vegetables, and eggs, besides excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, exposure to high levels of stress and anxiety, kidney disease, diabetes, or sudden shortness of breath, are all associated with an increased risk of developing high blood pressure.
Dr Halim noted that high blood pressure is called the ‘silent killer’ as symptoms may not be obvious even if blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels. A few people with high blood pressure may experience headaches, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, or blurred or double vision, especially if blood pressure readings rise to high levels.
The types of high blood pressure vary according to the causes. There is no clear or a specific cause for developing primary high blood pressure for most adults with this disease, and it often develops over time. The other type is called secondary high blood pressure and occurs because of another disease, which often appears suddenly, and leads to high blood pressure at levels higher than the first type. Some medications may cause this type.
Other causes also include sudden shortness of breath, kidney disease, adrenal tumours, thyroid problems, vascular malformations present at birth, and taking certain medications such as birth control pills, cold medications, decongestants, pain relievers, and some narcotic drugs, such as Cocaine, in addition to alcohol consumption.
To prevent high blood pressure, Dr. Halim advised the public to follow a healthy diet, limit their sodium and caffeine intake, exercise regularly, quit smoking, avoid alcoholic beverages, keep a healthy weight, avoid obesity and overweight, get enough sleep, and avoid stress and anxiety as much as possible.
To cure high blood pressure, he said that there are many medications available, prescribed by a specialist physician according to one’s medical condition, including thiazide diuretics, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, and renin-inhibiting drugs.
PHCC provides a variety of services for patients with hypertension. Its health centres support early detection of high blood pressure by measuring blood pressure for all patients.
PHCC allocates clinics for chronic diseases to follow up on this disease and conduct periodic tests. In addition to providing a nutritionist and a health educator in all its health centres to offer patients advice and guidance and providing all medications recommended by major international companies.
PHCC also established unified clinical principles and guidelines concerned with the treatment of all patients with high blood pressure. The Clinical Affairs Department checks medical files to ensure quality, and the Clinical Quality Department issues analytical data (KPI) for the control rate of patients with high blood pressure at the level of each health centre, as well as central analysis data at the level of the corporation.
On World Hypertension Day, PHCC sent awareness messages and emails to its staff, and held awareness lectures for patients and visitors in its health centres.
