About-Cardio
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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Understanding Blood Pressure and Its Impact on the Heart
Introduction
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as the heart pumps it around the body. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and consists of two values:
- Systolic Pressure : The higher number, representing the pressure while the heart beats.
- Diastolic Pressure : The lower number, representing the pressure when the heart rests between beats.
Normal and Abnormal Blood Pressure Levels
- Normal : Below 120/80 mmHg
- Elevated (Prehypertension) : 120-129/<80 mmHg
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Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
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- Stage 1: 130-139/80-89 mmHg
- Stage 2: 140/90 mmHg or higher
- Hypertensive Crisis: Higher than 180/120 mmHg (requires emergency care)
How High Blood Pressure Affects the Heart
- Increased Heart Workload : The heart must work harder to pump blood against high resistance.
- Artery Damage : High pressure can damage arterial walls, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis.
- Heart Enlargement (Left Ventricular Hypertrophy) : The heart muscle thickens, which can lead to heart failure.
- Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke : Can lead to plaque buildup, vessel narrowing, or even rupture of vessels supplying the heart or brain.
Causes and Risk Factors
- Unhealthy diet (excess salt, saturated fats, low potassium intake)
- Lack of physical activity
- Obesity
- Smoking and alcohol consumption
- Stress
- Genetic predisposition
- Underlying medical conditions (e.g., kidney disease, hormonal disorders)
Managing and Lowering Blood Pressure
Lifestyle Changes:
- Reduce salt intake (<2.3g/day)
- Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains (DASH diet)
- Exercise regularly (30 minutes of moderate exercise most days)
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption
- Manage stress through relaxation techniques
Medications (for diagnosed hypertension):
- Diuretics
- Beta-blockers
- ACE inhibitors
- Calcium channel blockers
- ARBs (Angiotensin II receptor blockers)
When to See a Doctor
- Regularly check blood pressure, especially if you have risk factors.
- Seek urgent help if you have symptoms like severe headache, chest pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath.
Conclusion
Controlling blood pressure is crucial for heart health. Lifestyle changes, regular monitoring, and medication (if required) help prevent complications like heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. Always consult your doctor for a personalized approach.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Hypertension Guidelines
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/hyp.0000000000000065
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure
- https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/2017-hypertension-clinical-guidelines
- https://www.heart.org/-/media/Files/Professional/Quality-Improvement/Pain-Management/AHA-GUIDELINEDRIVEN-MANAGEMENT-OF-HYPERTENSION--AN-EVIDENCEBASED-UPDATE.pdf
- https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements
2. European Society of Cardiology/European Society of Hypertension Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Elevated-Blood-Pressure-and-Hypertension
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/39/33/3021/5079119
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37345492/
- https://journals.lww.com/jhypertension/fulltext/2023/12000/2023_esh_guidelines_for_the_management_of_arterial.2.aspx
- https://www.ejinme.com/article/S0953-6205(24)00238-3/fulltext
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
Our advantages:
Best practices from USA, EU and Japan
Our answers to your questions are based on the clinical recommendations of countries with the most developed healthcare systems in the field of cardiology in the USA, the EU and Japan.
Always up-to-date information
On a daily basis, we monitor for you all new scientific research publications in leading scientific journals on medical issues of interest to you.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
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Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.