From the Research
Another name for systemic hypertension is high blood pressure, a common cardiovascular condition that affects the entire arterial system throughout the body. When healthcare providers measure blood pressure, they're assessing the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps. A normal blood pressure reading is typically around 120/80 mmHg, with the first number (systolic) representing pressure during heart contraction and the second (diastolic) representing pressure when the heart relaxes between beats. Systemic hypertension is diagnosed when blood pressure consistently reads 130/80 mmHg or higher, as stated in the most recent study 1. This condition is significant because elevated pressure throughout the arterial system forces the heart to work harder and can damage blood vessels over time, potentially leading to serious complications like heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage if left untreated. Some key points to consider about systemic hypertension include:
- The condition is a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality worldwide, associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) 2.
- Lifestyle changes, including dietary modifications and increased physical activity, are effective in lowering blood pressure and preventing hypertension and its CVD sequelae 2.
- Pharmacological therapy is very effective in lowering blood pressure and in preventing CVD outcomes in most patients; first-line antihypertensive medications include angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, dihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers, and thiazide diuretics 2.
- The notion of essential hypertension has been reevaluated, and recent studies suggest that secondary hypertension is quite common and that a systematic search for curable causes of hypertension can lead to better control of high blood pressure and improved patients' quality of life 1. The most recent and highest quality study 1 emphasizes the importance of a systematic search for secondary hypertension, which can be cured or better controlled, ultimately improving patients' quality of life. Key aspects of managing systemic hypertension include:
- Accurate standardized blood pressure measurement
- Assessment of the patient's predicted risk of atherosclerotic CVD and evidence of target-organ damage
- Detection of secondary causes of hypertension and presence of comorbidities (such as CVD and kidney disease) 2. Overall, systemic hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a significant condition that requires careful management to prevent complications and improve patient outcomes, as highlighted in the most recent study 1.