1- Blood pressure, or blood pressure, is the pressure that the heart creates on the vessel wall as it pumps blood, and is expressed as mm of mercury (Hg). If this pressure is above the desired values, it is defined as hypertension.
Blood pressure consists of two different values: systolic (high blood pressure among the people) or the pressure created by the heart when pumping blood, and diastolic (low blood pressure among the people) or the pressure during the period when the heart stops pumping blood. Normal blood pressure values should be a maximum of 130 mm Hg for systolic and a maximum of 85 mm Hg for diastolic, respectively, these values are normal blood pressure values. Borderline normal values are 130-139 mm Hg for systolic blood pressure and 85-89 mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure. The hypertension limit is 140 mm Hg for systolic blood pressure and 90 mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure.
2-Can hypertension be treated?
Yes it can. However, hypertension treatment is lifelong, blood pressure drops to normal limits with the drugs used in the treatment, but if the treatment is stopped, the blood pressure will reach its previous values. Therefore, the treatment should not be interrupted, and a doctor should be consulted at least once a year.
In some special cases, hypertension may be due to a kidney disease or hormone increase, in these cases, blood pressure may improve with the treatment of kidney disease or hormonal disorder, or at least it may become more easily controlled with fewer drugs.
3-What are the harms of hypertension?
Hypertension can cause cerebral hemorrhage and stroke, loss of vision in the eye, heart failure and heart attack in the heart, kidney failure in the kidneys, and narrowing of all vessels. If blood pressure values are kept within normal limits, hypertension patients are protected from these diseases.
4-Are the drugs used in hypertension habit-forming?
No, it doesn’t, but due to the decreasing vascular elasticity with age, the number or dose of drugs taken for blood pressure control may be low, in this case it may be necessary to add new drugs or increase the dose of the drug used. Each drug group has some unique side effects, ask your doctor what these side effects are.
5-One of my relatives also has hypertension, can I give him the medicine I use?
No, definitely do not act like this, and warn those who do. A drug that is suitable for you may be life-threatening for someone else, so advise your relative to consult a doctor.
6-Is hypertension a common disease?
Yes, 20% of the population has hypertension, this rate is approximately 40% in the 45-54 age group, and approximately 50% in the 55-64 age group. For this reason, individuals from all age groups of the society should have their blood pressure checked at least once a year.
7-When should I take the recommended drugs in treatment?
In particular, ask your doctor about this issue, but in general, blood pressure medications are taken as soon as you get up in the morning. In some special cases, the blood pressure of the patients may not be lower than expected at night compared to the daytime, in this case, the drug(s) can be taken in the evening with the recommendation of your doctor.
8-Can I measure my blood pressure myself?
Yes you can, but try to learn enough about how to measure blood pressure from a doctor or training program. Electronic wrist and arm blood pressure devices can also be used, but in order to understand the reliability of these devices, it is appropriate to compare the values obtained with a mercury blood pressure monitor. The most accurate tools are mercury measuring devices.
9-What should I pay attention to when measuring my blood pressure?
You should rest for at least 5 minutes before blood pressure is measured, and you should not have caffeinated drinks or smoked in the last half hour. Your sphygmomanometer should adequately cover your arm and length, you should not insert the listening device (stethoscope) under the cuff of the sphygmomanometer.
10-Do drugs used in the treatment of hypertension cause kidney and liver disorders or affect sexual functions?
Each drug may have its own side effects, ask your doctor about the side effects of the drugs you use, but in general terms, the benefit from the treatment is greater than the harm of the drug, so hypertension is a disease that needs to be treated.
