Systemic hypertension, or high blood pressure, can negatively affect cardiovascular function and heart health. It is often undiagnosed and can lead to complications such as stroke and heart failure. Risk factors include physical inactivity, obesity, poor diet, family history, smoking, and excessive alcohol use. Treatment depends on the origin of the condition and may include medication and lifestyle changes.
Systemic hypertension is the increase in blood pressure in the vessels that supply oxygenated blood to the body. Commonly referred to simply as hypertension, elevated blood pressure negatively affects cardiovascular function and can compromise heart health. Individuals diagnosed with this condition are typically prescribed medications and advised to make dietary and lifestyle changes to lower blood pressure.
Hypertension develops when cardiovascular blood circulation is impaired by arterial narrowing. Restricted blood flow requires increased pressure within the heart to force blood through its chambers. Systemic hypertension is associated with the right cardiovascular system and those vessels that carry freshly oxygenated blood throughout the body.
It is not uncommon for systemic high blood pressure to go undiagnosed for years as many people remain asymptomatic, meaning they feel no signs of anything being wrong. Most preliminary diagnoses are made as a result of consistently elevated blood pressure readings over a period of time. If systemic hypertension is suspected, a variety of diagnostic tests, including an electrocardiogram (EKG), may be done to further evaluate one’s cardiovascular function and confirm a diagnosis.
The symptoms of hypertension are usually proportional to the severity of one’s condition. As blood pressure increases, so does the prominence and intensity of symptoms. Early signs of systemic hypertension may include dull and persistent headache, confusion, and episodic dizziness. When other system functions are affected, further symptoms may include pronounced fatigue, vision impairment and malaise. If symptoms are ignored, the chances of complications increase significantly, including stroke, blindness and heart failure.
In addition to existing chronic conditions, such as diabetes, several factors can influence your chances of developing systemic hypertension in the long term. Prolonged physical inactivity, often accompanied by obesity, consuming a diet deficient in essential vitamins and minerals, and a family history of hypertension are often considered risk factors for this chronic condition. Additional contributing factors include smoking and excessive alcohol use.
Treatment for systemic hypertension generally depends on the origin of the condition. Those cases that result from a secondary condition require treatment for the existing condition first. Once the underlying condition is treated, changes in diet and lifestyle may be sufficient.
Persistent or primary cases of high blood pressure are usually treated with medication. Depending on the severity of your condition, you can use a variety of medications to stabilize your blood pressure. In most cases, beta and calcium channel blockers are prescribed to relieve the stress placed on the heart muscle and reduce arterial constriction. Other medications can be used to flush unnecessary fluids out of the body and minimize the risk of further arterial narrowing.
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