Hypertension Awareness Month
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the leading preventable cause of death and disability around the world. It can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and dementia. Over 7.2 million Canadians have hypertension, and another 7.5 million Canadians have borderline high blood pressure that will progress to hypertension without preventative action.
Hypertension is a significant risk factor for heart attacks. When blood pressure is consistently high, it can cause damage to the blood vessels, leading to the development of atherosclerosis. This can increase the risk of a heart attack by reducing blood flow to the heart and causing the formation of blood clots. People with hypertension are more than twice as likely to experience a heart attack compared to those with normal blood pressure levels. Additionally, the risk of heart attack increases as blood pressure levels rise, even if the levels are not in the hypertensive range.
It is important for patients to understand that hypertension often does not cause noticeable symptoms, which is why it is sometimes called the “silent killer.” Patients should know their blood pressure numbers. Regular blood pressure monitoring, either by a healthcare provider or at home with their own blood pressure machine, is crucial for detecting and managing hypertension before it leads to serious health complications - such as heart attack. The healthcare provider can determine if they need treatment.
Hypertension treatment involves a combination of lifestyle changes and medication. The lifestyle changes may include regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing salt intake, and quitting smoking or alcohol consumption. Details regarding medications are included in the hypertension guidelines below.
https://guidelines.hypertension.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09//2020-22-HT-Guidelines-E-WEB_v3b.pdf
It is important for patients to understand that hypertension treatment is a lifelong commitment. Even if blood pressure is successfully lowered, medication and lifestyle changes must be continued to prevent the condition from recurring. It is also important for patients to work closely with a healthcare provider to monitor blood pressure levels and adjust treatment plans as needed.
Hypertension Canada promotes Hypertension Month and World Hypertension Day (May 17th) in partnership with the World Hypertension League and the International Society of Hypertension.
