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Arterial Hypertension

Hypertension or High Blood Pressure, is a condition in which the pressure of the blood against the artery walls is elevated enough that it can cause long-term health issues, such as heart disease. A high blood pressure is considered to be 140/90mm Hg (systolic/diastolic) or higher. Until the age of 64, hypertension is more common among men whereas women over the age of 65. Obesity, smoking, anxiety, lack of physical activity, alcohol consumption and too much dietary intake of salt are among the risk factors for hypertension.

 

Diagnosis of Real Causes & Treatment of Arterial Hypertension

  • Gradual restoration of cellular function
  • Personalized therapeutic protocols, without chemical residues and excipients
  • Treating the real causes
  • Therapeutic formulas that work alone or in combination with any other medication
  • Adopting a Molecular / Therapeutic Nutrition Plan

 

Symptoms of Hypertension

Hypertension can be present without obvious symptoms.

However, symptoms as the following can lead a Physician to test an individual for elevated blood pressure: dizziness, headaches, chest pain, sweating, facial flushing, difficulty in breathing, nose bleeding, irregular heartbeat or palpitations.

 

Hypertension

 

Epidemiology and Statistics

Hypertension is on the rise around the world largely due to ageing of the population and exposure to lifestyle risk-factors such as smoking, unhealthy diet and lack of physical exercise. It is estimated that almost 10% of the global adult population suffers from hypertension.

 

Elevated blood pressure is strongly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease and all-cause mortality.

 

Hypertension seems to have a very significant effect on healthcare expenditure as it is estimated to represent almost 10% of the global healthcare expenditure.

 

Pathophysiology of Hypertension

Arterial hypertension is a chronic medical condition characterized by a persistent elevation of blood pressure. Blood pressure is actually the pressure of blood pushing against the arterial walls and is the product of cardiac output and vascular resistance. Patients suffering from arterial hypertension may present an increased cardiac output, an increased vascular resistance or a combination of these two conditions. Hypertension in young individuals is usually attributed to an elevated cardiac output, whereas in older people to increased vascular resistance due to stiffening of the aorta and the other arteries.

 

Stage Systolic pressure Diastolic pressure
Optimal <120 <80
Normal 120-129 80-84
Normal-elevated 130-139 85-89
Hypertension stage 1 140-159 90-99
Hypertension stage 2 160-179 100-109
Hypertension stage 3 >180 >110

The stages of Hypertension. Systolic and diastolic pressure prices are given in mm Hg.

 

Hypertension progresses gradually from occasional to established hypertension. This is usually the point when most people refer to a doctor. In certain cases however, individuals may be asymptomatic. After a long period of untreated hypertension, organ damage may emerge (aorta, heart, kidneys, small arteries and retina are among the most commonly affected organs).

 

Blood pressure is regulated through a complex mechanism. As a product of cardiac output and vascular resistance, blood pressure is influenced by factors affecting these two characteristics. Sodium dietary intake, kidney function and mineralocorticoids (such as aldosterone) function are some very basic factors that affect cardiac output. Furthermore, the sympathetic nervous system, humoral factors and local autoregulation affect vascular resistance.

Complications of Hypertension

Hypertension can cause serious complications all over the human body.  In the heart, left ventricular hypertrophy and coronary artery disease may develop. An increase in the muscle mass and wall thickness of the heart is most times evident. Chest pain (angina), heart attack or heart failure are other possible complications of hypertension.

 

Increased blood pressure can cause the arteries that lead to the brain to burst or be blocked, leading to a stroke. Strokes can be sometimes fatal. In other cases, serious disabilities may result such as speech or movement impediments, loss of sight, loss of balance and severe headaches.

 

Individuals suffering from hypertension present a higher risk for developing chronic kidney disease.

 

Treatment of Hypertension

Individuals with elevated arterial pressure can benefit from lifestyle changes. Reducing the salt intake through diet, stop smoking, managing stress, limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a  healthy weight or losing weight in cases of obesity are just a few of the possible lifestyle changes that can have a positive effect on hypertension. In certain cases, however these changes are not enough to lower the elevated blood pressure. In these cases, doctors prescribe medications.

 

The most commonly used medications for the treatment of hypertension are: diuretics, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, direct vasodilators, α1– adrenergic blockers, natriuretic peptides and central adrenergic inhibitors.

 

Finding the causes of Hypertension

In the last few years, a shift in the scientific approach to Hypertension is recorded. Rather than trying to find ways to lower blood pressure through medicine intake, Health Specialists seek the real causes behind hypertension.

 

Factors such as deficiencies in micronutrients, chronic-silent inflammation, metabolic syndrome, increased blood sugar levels, hormonal imbalances and heavy metal toxicity, have been found to contribute to the gradual onset and deterioration of hypertension.

 

Addressing these factors means addressing the real causes of hypertension.

 

The modern medical approach to Hypertension – Treating the causes of the disease

The modern medical perspective of Hypertension employs a causal approach to the disease.  After filling in a thorough Medical history questionnaire, a certified Health Specialist will address a series of targeted questions to you, to assess whether your symptoms could be indicative of Hypertension or evaluate the route of the disease.

 

Then your specialist may recommend a specialized blood test, or other molecular-level diagnostic tests to confirm/complement the diagnosis. Your personalized treatment plan will be based upon the diagnostic tests results, the symptoms described and your medical history overall.

 

This treatment plan will be accompanied by a Molecular Therapeutic Nutrition program that will be compiled after a distinct consultation with a Molecular Nutritionist and will aim towards achieving even higher levels of health and well-being along with alleviating not only the symptoms but the true causes of Hypertension.

 

 

Dr. Nikoleta Koini, M.D.

Doctor of Functional, Preventive, Anti-ageing and Restorative Medicine.
Diplomate and Board Certified in Anti-aging, Preventive, Functional and Regenerative Medicine from A4M (American Academy in Antiaging Medicine).

Functional Corporation
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