High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide.
It happens when the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries is consistently too high.
While it might seem like a minor issue, hypertension is a leading risk factor for serious health problems like heart attacks, strokes, and even premature death.
In Sweden, more than a quarter of all adults face this challenge, making it one of the most common health concerns in the country.
Scientists at the University of Gothenburg have been studying hypertension to better understand its risks and how to manage them.
Their work reveals that many people with high blood pressure might need more effective treatment to protect their health and lower the risks of serious complications.
One of their studies looked at older adults with hypertension who had no history of heart attacks or strokes. The focus was on systolic blood pressure (SBP)—the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats.
They found that people with SBP below 130 mmHg had a 40% lower risk of heart attacks and strokes compared to those with SBP levels between 130-139 mmHg.
This finding shows how keeping blood pressure within a healthy range can significantly reduce the chances of life-threatening events.
In another study, the researchers examined patients with atrial fibrillation, a condition where the heart beats irregularly, increasing the risk of blood clots and strokes. These patients were taking blood-thinning medications, but their systolic blood pressure still played a major role.
The study showed that those with SBP levels between 140-179 mmHg had double the risk of hemorrhagic stroke (a type of bleeding in the brain) compared to patients with SBP in the 130-139 mmHg range. This highlights how lowering blood pressure can also protect against different types of strokes.
In a larger study involving over 259,000 patients, the researchers made an unsettling discovery: nine out of ten people with high blood pressure also had poorly controlled blood pressure, high cholesterol, or smoked.
These risk factors significantly increase the chances of heart attacks, strokes, and early death.
The findings stress the importance of addressing not just blood pressure but also other factors like cholesterol and smoking to prevent these serious outcomes.
These studies make one thing clear: many people with high blood pressure are not getting the treatment they need to lower their risk of heart problems and strokes.
However, there is hope. By managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels through medication or lifestyle changes, most individuals can reduce their risks.
Simple steps like eating a healthier diet, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking can make a big difference. For some, medication may also be necessary to reach and maintain safe blood pressure levels.
Managing high blood pressure is vital to protecting your heart and overall health. Whether through lifestyle changes or medical treatment, taking action can prevent dangerous conditions like heart attacks and strokes.
By prioritizing proper treatment and making healthy choices, we can work towards a future where hypertension is no longer a significant threat to our well-being. It’s never too late to take control of your health, and even small steps can lead to a healthier, longer life.
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 health information, 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.
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