Recent research from Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TDMU) has revealed alarming trends in acute hypertension, a condition where blood pressure spikes suddenly and dangerously.
Published in the journal Hypertension, the study highlights the increasing severity of this condition, often dubbed the “silent killer” due to its hidden symptoms until a medical emergency occurs.
The study examined the medical records of over 50,000 patients admitted to the hospital with acute hypertension between 2010 and 2019.
A worrying finding was the significant increase in the need for urgent kidney dialysis among these patients, rising from 1.52% at the start of the decade to 2.6% by the end.
Lead author Hisazumi Matsuki pointed out that this trend was consistent across various groups, including younger individuals, men, overweight people, and those with hypertensive heart failure. These groups are considered at high risk for hypertension complications.
Moreover, urgent dialysis, while necessary, carries risks of infection and bleeding, which could elevate the chances of a patient dying in the hospital.
The mortality rate among hospitalized patients with acute hypertension also showed a concerning increase, going from 1.83% to 2.88% over the ten years.
Senior author Shintaro Mandai noted that this rise in in-hospital deaths was particularly prominent among elderly, male, underweight patients, and those with hypertensive heart failure.
Interestingly, the study observed the so-called “obesity paradox,” where overweight patients showed lower mortality rates.
Senior author Shinichi Uchida explained that underweight patients often have poorer nutritional status and lower physical activity levels, which could mask underlying conditions and make it harder to detect heart congestion.
Despite the availability of treatments for high blood pressure, there has been no decrease in acute hypertension cases. High blood pressure damages organs by altering blood vessel structures throughout the body.
Effective management of hypertension requires not just medication but also lifestyle changes like exercise and a healthy diet.
The study underscores the critical need for early detection of hidden heart congestion, especially in underweight patients, and emphasizes the importance of nutritional support.
Preventing unplanned hospital admissions due to acute hypertension is vital for mitigating the risks associated with this condition. This research serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing and escalating dangers of acute hypertension in the modern world.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
The research findings can be found in Hypertension.
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