Systemic Hypertension: Treatment, Cost and Side Effects

Systemic hypertension or Arterial hypertension is commonly known as high blood pressure. It is a condition wherein the blood pressure is frequently high in the systemic arteries. Arteries are the vessels that are the carriers of blood from the heart to the tissues of all the body parts, except that of lungs. The cause of high blood pressure would be the constriction of arterioles (smaller arteries) which introduces resistance to the flow of blood in the artery, which in turn increases the load on the heart and causes the pressure inside the arteries to rise.

The treatment for systemic hypertension is provided after measuring the blood pressure levels of a person. There is a method to measure the blood pressure of a person. The highest measure is known as Systolic whereas the lowest is known as Diastolic. The blood pressure of a person is denoted as Systolic/Diastolic mm Hg (millimeters of Mercury). The top number denotes the amount of arterial pressure when the heart muscles contract. The bottom number denotes the amount of arterial pressure when the heart muscles beat. The maximum Systolic reading of a normal adult is taken about 140 mm Hg. The minimum Diastolic, on the other hand, is taken as 90 mm Hg. In other words, the highest blood pressure reading of a normal adult is 140/90 mm Hg. The difference between the systolic and diastolic pressures is known as Pulse pressure, which is another concept in the monitoring and measuring of blood pressure. Risen blood pressure does not really have any symptoms and may not even be noticeable until some problems may start to occur. Doesn’t matter if the Systolic pressure is high or the Diastolic, both may result in strokes and cardiac arrests. Over a period of time, high blood pressure may also result in arterial disease. There is no exact cause for high blood pressure that is known or found. Some may associate it with living an unhealthy lifestyle coupled up with stress. It may also be because of a long family history of systemic hypertension.

For the diagnosis of systemic hypertension, the blood pressure levels of a person are monitored not on just one event but during a series of time. Since there is no exact cause that systemic hypertension could be associated with except for unhealthy lifestyle and stress, patients suffering from it are asked to made some lifestyle changes including regular exercising, good diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low-fat dairy, reduction of salt and fat intake along with avoiding smoking, drugs and alcohol. In terms of medication, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, beta blockers are some of the ways to control blood pressure. Systemic hypertension is highly common in people without them even realizing and doing something about it. Various placebo effect therapies have also come into play in the aspect of controlling high blood pressure.

If upon the consultation with the doctor, it is found that the person has a case of chronic high blood pressure, then the doctor will provide the medical advice needed by the patient to control the condition. There is obviously no cure for it, one can just control it by introducing various lifestyle changes and by ingesting the medicines prescribed by the doctor as and when required. Over 1 billion people suffer from systemic hypertension. 25% of all women who are the childbearing age have chronic hypertension. Pregnancy can also be a cause of risen levels of blood pressure. Of all the patients with myocardial infarction, 69% of face the problem of high blood pressure, making so many people eligible for the treatment of a disease, which if not taken care of may result in death.

Anyone can suffer from systemic hypertension so there is nobody that is not eligible for the treatment of the same, but patients with high blood pressure should be diagnosed for target organ damage. They should also be tested for cardiovascular diseases like myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, left ventricular hypertrophy, retinopathy, coronary revascularization, stroke, peripheral arterial disease and nephropathy. All of these diseases should be diagnosed if a person suffers from chronic high blood pressure as these diseases could fatally harm a person.

• ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, diuretics and beta blockers are some of the medicines prescribed for the controlling of high blood pressure. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are a class of drugs that have the function of reducing the activity of enzyme that converts angiotensin of the blood from angiotensin I to angiotensin II. The common side effects of ACE inhibitors are dizziness, diarrhea, lowering of the blood pressure, headaches and drowsiness.
• Calcium channel blockers resist the entry of the mineral calcium in the muscles or the arteries and the heart. The side effects of these blockers are sexual and liver dysfunctions, nausea, dizziness, rashes, edema and drowsiness.
• Diuretics are also known as water pills as they are used to increase the amount of salt and water eliminated from the body via urine. These act in the reduction of fluid in the body, which in turn reduce the pressure of the blood. The side effects associated with the intake of diuretics are headache, rise in cholesterol levels, fall in sodium levels, cramping of muscles and in some cases, even gout.
• Beta blockers are the drugs that reduce the effects of the hormone known as adrenaline. Its side effects are constipation, trouble in breathing, weakness and drying of mouth, eyes, and skin.

The condition of systemic hypertension requires that the sufferer or the patient switches to better and healthy lifestyle. That includes exercising and movement of the body to keep it active and not dormant, drinking plenty of water, taking a good diet to nourish the body, etc. also the lowering of sodium and fat levels as that could be detrimental to a person with high blood pressure. Alcohol, drugs and smoking also fall on the list of things to avoid.

Controlling and maintaining the normal measures of blood pressure would be a part of the life of a person and not just one-time event. One does not simply recover from systemic hypertension. Many researchers have found that the cure for systemic hypertension is extremely rare. Keeping it in check, however, is absolutely possible for anyone who wants and wishes to live a healthy and fulfilled life.

Treatment of high blood pressure is easily available in India as well as outside of it. In India, apart from the doctor’s fees which may vary with respect to various doctors, the medicines commonly prescribed by them are fairly affordable and fall within the range of INR 30-100 but can as high as INR 2,000. It all depends on the pocket of the patient.

The results of the treatment of systemic hypertension are definitely not permanent. It can be controlled and kept in check, yes, but cannot be cured. The patient has to be cautious and prevent any situations or circumstances wherein his/her blood pressure levels might rise and give birth to other maladies.

Most of the patients of systemic hypertension switch to more natural ways of keeping their blood pressure at desirable levels. Apart from exercising and good diet, eating potassium rich food is known to help the condition. Green, leafy vegetables, bananas, apricots, oranges, nuts and seeds are examples of potassium rich foods. Cutting back of caffeine also proves extremely beneficial in controlling blood pressure. Managing stress is also vital as stress is known to be a common cause for high blood pressure. Meditation, taking long walks, etc. would help people do it. In order to live a healthy life undisturbed by constant and chronic rise in blood pressure levels, a person must strive to follow a healthy lifestyle which also includes a being happy and relaxed.