Six indications of high blood pressure, as described by therapist Olga Koryakina, include persistent headaches, regular dizziness, frequent nosebleeds, consistent blurred vision, constant fatigue, and consistently irregular heartbeats.
Let's chat about high blood pressure, a common yet often overlooked issue
Every other person these days is dealing with high blood pressure, and it's usually due to sedentary lifestyles, weight problems, and stress, as Olga Koryakina from the Yakutsk Republican Narcological Dispensary's diagnostic and polyclinic department points out. Unfortunately, many people don't take hypertension seriously, don't monitor their blood pressure regularly, and stop their medication without consulting their doctor. Despite feeling perfectly fine, high blood pressure can wreak havoc on the body, damaging the elasticity of blood vessels and thickening their walls, leading to oxygen deprivation and impaired organ function. This can increase the risk of stroke and heart attack.
Recognize the Warning Signs
- Dizziness and pulsating headaches,
- Chest pain and heartburn, a feeling of "fogginess" in the head, decreased vision,
- Ringing in the ears and audible heartbeat,
- Insomnia and fatigue,
- Loss of appetite and nausea,
- Poor sleep and irritability.
If you fall into the high-risk category, as many of the clinic's patients do, especially heavy drinkers, it's crucial to take hypertension seriously. Natalia Everstova, a therapist from the stationary narcological department, shares that patients with alcohol dependence face additional challenges in managing their hypertension. Treatment progress is often slow, and medications may not be as effective for those with unhealthy habits. It's essential to remember that alcohol consumption is a strict no-no for those with high blood pressure.
What Causes High Blood Pressure?
- Long-term stress,
- Lack of physical activity,
- Excess weight,
- Harmful habits like smoking, overconsumption of alcohol or energy drinks,
- An unbalanced diet rich in fatty, fried, salty, spicy, floury, sweet dishes,
- Hereditary predisposition to cardiovascular diseases,
- Advanced age.
Don't ignore your doctor's advice and stick to their treatment plan. By taking good care of your health, you can prevent dangerous complications. Cheers to your well-being!
YarND Press Service
Extra Knowledge Bits:Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a complex issue influenced by a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Here's an in-depth look at these factors and effective strategies for managing hypertension, especially in patients with alcohol dependence:
Triggers of Hypertension
- Age: Risk increases with age as blood vessels stiffen.
- Family History: A genetic predisposition significantly increases risk.
- Gender: Men have a higher risk until age 60, after which women catch up.
- Ethnicity: Certain ethnic groups, like Black adults, have a higher prevalence.
- Lifestyle Habits:
- Diet: High salt and alcohol intake.
- Exercise: Lack of physical activity.
- Weight: Being overweight or obese.
- Smoking: Tobacco use increases blood pressure.
- Substance Use: Alcohol dependence is a significant risk factor.
- Medical Conditions:
- Secondary Hypertension: Caused by underlying health issues, like kidney disease or endocrine disorders.
Tackling Hypertension in Alcohol- dependent Patients
- Lifestyle Changes:
- Diet: Reduce salt intake and opt for a balanced diet.
- Exercise: Engage in regular physical activity.
- Alcohol: Limit consumption to moderate levels or seek help for alcohol dependence.
- Weight Management: Maintain a healthy weight.
- Medications:
- Antihypertensives: Various medications, such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and diuretics, can help control blood pressure.
- Cautious Medicine Selection: Avoid medications that may exacerbate hypertension.
- Alcohol Dependence Treatment:
- Counseling and Therapy: Behavioral interventions help manage alcohol dependence.
- Medications for Alcohol Dependence: Medications like naltrexone or disulfiram may support recovery.
- Regular Monitoring:
- Regular blood pressure checks.
- Modifying lifestyle and medication strategies as needed.
By addressing alcohol dependence and implementing comprehensive lifestyle changes, patients can effectively manage their hypertension while reducing their risk of cardiovascular complications.
- While high blood pressure is a common issue often linked to sedentary lifestyles, weight problems, and stress, it's important to remember that many medical-conditions, such as chronic-diseases, can also contribute to its development.
- Proper sleep and nutrition are essential for maintaining cardiovascular-health. Symptoms such as insomnia, fatigue, loss of appetite, and nausea could indicate high blood pressure, as highlighted in the list of warning signs.
- In managing high blood pressure, paying attention to mental-health is equally vital. Stress, as a long-term trigger of hypertension, can be reduced through fitness-and-exercise, relaxation techniques, and practicing healthy coping mechanisms.
- A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains is crucial for overall health-and-wellness and can help maintain normal blood pressure levels. It's essential to avoid excessive consumption of alcohol, energy drinks, and fatty, fried, salty, spicy, floury, and sweet dishes.
- Make sure to follow the treatment plan provided by medical professionals diligently to prevent dangerous complications from hypertension. This might include medication, lifestyle changes, and addressing any underlying medical-conditions, such as alcohol dependence, which can impact the effectiveness of treatment.
