Hipertensi : Apa yang Harus Kita Ketahui tentang Tekanan Darah Kita

By: dr.Surya Marthias, Sp.JP

One in four Americans has hypertension.

Alarming to think about, I know, but what if I
told you it might be entirely preventable in
most cases? To succeed in keeping your
blood pressure in check, you must first
familiarize yourself with the term and what it
means for your body
By definition, in the most basic terms, it is the state of abnormally high
blood pressure, usually brought on by a stressor, psychological or physical.
Medications for this condition is at an all-time high. If it remains
uncontrolled, it will wreak havoc on every system in your body.

Over the last several years, science, and more importantly, medical
practitioners have begun to take notice and work to find ways to reduce the
number of people diagnosed with it. The Department of Health and Human
Services has even taken up the cause to reverse or prevent hypertension
altogether. Their Million Hearts initiative aims to prevent the effects of high
blood pressure, like heart attacks and strokes.
Why these numbers continue to rise in due in part to many factors. Lifestyle
choices are to blame primarily. Lack of exercise, high-fat diets, alcohol use,
tobacco use, high sodium diets, consuming fat-rich foods and highly
processed foods all play a part in whether or not we’ll develop
hypertension. That being said, there are other factors known as secondary
conditions that play a role in causing high blood pressure.

Kidney disease has been known to be associated with hypertension. Also,

medication use may also play a part. By itself, high blood pressure might
not cause accompanying conditions but may play a role in the narrowing of
blood vessels and arteries, which will, in turn, lead to more complications in
the body.

Unlike many disease processes, you may not experience overt signs or
symptoms until it’s too late. Fortunately, however, there are readily
available means of measuring your blood pressure. Many big box stores
and chain pharmacies have blood pressure machines. While these devices
are convenient, they may not be entirely reliable, but they can alert you to
possible problems that you should address with your physician.

Once you’ve addressed it and had it measured and monitored by a

qualified healthcare professional, you’ll be relieved to know that there are
steps you can take to help lower your risks or lower your existing high
blood pressure. For instance, maintaining a healthy weight can reduce your
risk of developing hypertension. Conversely, being overweight can
dramatically increase the probability of developing high blood pressure.
Losing weight can reverse that. Even losing a small amount of weight (most
doctors recommend a five to ten percent weight loss initially) can yield
positive results in the right direction.

As with many conditions, getting regular exercise can make a huge

difference. Not only does it lower your risk of getting high blood pressure,
but it also lowers your risk of being diagnosed with many other ailments.
Any regular exercise is good. It doesn’t have to be strenuous exercise.
Following the recommended physical activity regimen for your age range
and your level of fitness is enough to have a positive impact.
Drinking in moderation can help prevent high blood pressure. That’s not to
say to start drinking if you don’t now, but if you’re someone who enjoys the
occasional glass of wine or the occasional spirit, make sure that you drink
no more than two alcoholic beverages per day. Women should limit their
alcohol consumption to no more than one drink per day.

Limit your salt (sodium) intake. Read labels. Be mindful of what you’re
eating and drinking. Many patients have found that just by eliminating salt
or greatly reducing the amount they consume, they’ve managed to keep
their blood pressure under control.

Lastly, another preventative option is to reduce stress. Letting stress build

up over time can have detrimental effects on you physically and
psychologically. Many find that meditation, yoga, walking, running or
reading are great stress reducers. Find an activity that works for you and
reap the benefits of taking care of yourself mind, body, and soul. Your
blood pressure will thank you for it.