{"id":1045,"date":"2022-11-02T10:31:40","date_gmt":"2022-11-02T10:31:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wellahealth.com\/blog\/?p=1045"},"modified":"2022-11-07T09:52:03","modified_gmt":"2022-11-07T09:52:03","slug":"hypertension","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wellahealth.com\/blog\/hypertension\/","title":{"rendered":"THE TRUTH ABOUT HYPERTENSION – meaning, causes, symptoms, treatment."},"content":{"rendered":"

The prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria forms a substantial portion of the total burden in Africa. Low and Middle-Income countries (LMICs), including Nigeria, appear to be the worst hit, with a relatively higher number of cases and limited awareness, treatment, and control rate, against what is observed in developed countries. In this <\/span>research<\/span><\/a>, it’s reported that one out of four adult Nigerians is hypertensive. As reported by The Guardian Newspaper in May 2021 76.2\u00a0 million Nigerians are hypertensive but only 23 million are on treatment. It is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases worldwide, and diseases like stroke.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is there a way to prevent hypertension? YES<\/span><\/p>\n

Is there a way to manage hypertension? YES<\/span><\/p>\n

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Understanding Hypertension<\/b><\/h2>\n

Blood pressure is the force of blood pressing against the walls of your arteries. When it’s too high, your heart has to work harder. This can cause serious damage to your arteries. When your blood pressure is higher than usual, it is called hypertension, which is also called high blood pressure (HBP). Hypertension is a condition in which there is sustained elevation of blood pressure above a threshold of 140 mmHg systolic and 90 mmHg diastolic in adults.<\/span><\/p>\n

Over time, uncontrolled high blood pressure makes you more likely to get heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.<\/span><\/p>\n

Having hypertension should get you worried because the higher your blood pressure levels, the more risk you have for other health problems such as heart disease, heart attack, and stroke, hence it shouldn\u2019t be taken lightly.<\/span><\/p>\n

What do blood pressure numbers mean?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Blood pressure is measured using two numbers:<\/span><\/p>\n

The first number, called <\/span>systolic<\/i><\/b> blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats.<\/span><\/p>\n

The second number, called <\/span>diastolic<\/i><\/b> blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats.<\/span><\/p>\n

If the measurement reads 120 systolic and 80 diastolic, you would say, \u201c120 over 80,\u201d or write, \u201c120\/80 mmHg.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A normal blood pressure level is less than 120\/80 mmHg.1<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

What causes hypertension?<\/b><\/h2>\n

High blood pressure develops over time. It can happen because of unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n