The importance of diagnosing hypertension

Hypertension is a very common disease nowadays and involves continuously or sustained high blood pressure. The condition causes 9.4 million deaths a year worldwide, and is also responsible for 45% of heart attacks and 51% of haemorrhagic strokes (brain haemorrhage), according to the World Health Organisation.

Currently one of the main problems with this condition is miss diagnosis, with only 30% of cases being diagnosed.

Dr Tamara Moreno, from Vithas Xanit International Hospital General Internal Medicine Department, explains to us the importance of early detection and appropriate treatment of this condition, to prevent it from severely affecting a patient´s quality of life or even from causing death.

How is hypertension detected?

As hypertension is often asymptomatic (with no symptoms) it is difficult to detect other than in routine checks or when a patient seeks healthcare for another reason. Discovering if someone is hypertensive is straightforward, a simple blood pressure check can help the specialist to diagnose hypertension early on. It is important, especially in people over the age of 65, to have periodic blood pressure monitoring, early diagnosis of this condition does not only help to treat it appropriately but also helps to prevent the consequences.

What should be done when a patient is diagnosed with hypertension?
According to Dr Moreno, the most important thing is to remain calm and understand that hypertension is treatable. The specialist will decide on the most appropriate treatment depending on each person´s individual case.

There are two types of treatment:
• Non-pharmaceutical: based on lifestyle modification: weight control, avoiding a high salt intake, limiting intake of saturated fat, increasing intake of polyunsaturated fats, fruit and vegetables, performing daily physical exercise, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol intake.
• Drug treatment: treatment with drugs capable of keeping blood pressure down. The doctor will be responsible for deciding which drug to prescribe and at what dose.

If you would like more information on this condition and the possible treatment options, please visit the hospitals General Internal Medicine link below (Spanish information): Benalmadena Hospital or request an appointment with any of our General Internal Medicine Specialists by clicking here.