About 40% of the adult population suffers from high blood pressure . Arterial hypertension is the main risk factor for the development of diseases of the heart and circulatory system. Blood pressure is the force (or pressure) exerted by the bloodstream on the walls of the arteries. When this pressure is very high, the artery wall loses elasticity, and the heart must make a greater effort to maintain its normal functioning. A person is considered hypertensive if consistently have high blood pressure values , namely: Diastolic or minimum pressure ≥ 90 mmHg Systolic or maximum pressure ≥ 140 mmHg High blood pressure can be silent and give no symptoms or signs. However, in some people, headaches, dizziness, tiredness, chest pain, among other symptoms suggestive of uncontrolled arterial hypertension, may appear. High blood pressure can be present for several years without complications. Unfortunately, many people only know that have high blood pressure after having a complication! It is important to remember that uncontrolled high blood pressure is one of the main causes of stroke, acute myocardial infarction, renal failure and even blindness. Therefore, you should regularly measure your blood pressure . If you suspect high blood pressure, consult your doctor, so that he can confirm the diagnosis and start the appropriate treatment. Arterial hypertension can be treated and controlled, thus avoiding its complications. Learn more about blood pressure and hypertension and also how to measure blood pressure at home . Author : José Ferreira Santos Meet the cardiology team from Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
