High blood pressure is a dangerous condition, and if left untreated, it can lead to many other health conditions, and is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke. It is one of the most common chronic diseases among adults, at a rate of more than 35 per cent, and patients with stress are the most vulnerable to infection with the emerging "Corona" virus.
Corona and blood pressure
Tomorrow, Saturday, October 17th, 2020, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will celebrate “World Blood Pressure Day” for this exceptional year instead of May 17, like every year. In it, the Saudi Blood Pressure Society sends a message to community members encouraging self-measurement, early detection, treatment and control. This becomes more and more important in the era of "Corona", as high blood pressure increases the chance of developing complications from "Corona".
Dr. Saleh Al-Shurafa, President of the Saudi Society for the Care of Blood Pressure Patients (Shams), spoke to “Your Health” and said that despite the large number of researches that deal with everything related to “Covid 19”, which amounted to more than 30,000 research so far "Some information is conflicting in this regard, as scientists seek to discover the link between high blood pressure and susceptibility to infection, as well as the severity of the disease in patients with high blood pressure, and complications, in addition to the increase in the severity of the disease among users of some drugs that suppress high blood pressure."
Among more than 1,600 medical studies, it was found that 28 percent of "Covid 19" patients suffer from high blood pressure, especially the elderly who are mainly high-risk patients, so how about they are suffering from high blood pressure.
Take medications
“There has been a lot of confusion about ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and anti-renin-angiotensin aldosterone regimens, commonly referred to as ARBs, as this hormonal system regulates blood pressure and water. Upon our review as an association specialized in hypertension and its comorbidities, we found that, despite a theoretical relationship with the severity of the disease in users of such types of drugs, this relationship has not been clinically proven. This means that these drugs must not be stopped when infected with (Covid 19), (Corona) virus, but rather that they must continue taking the medicines Because stopping it may lead to serious complications for blood pressure patients, and they must follow the advice of the treating doctor.
Dr. Saleh Al-Shurafa added that “these events and developments related to (Corona) and the spread of some inaccurate news about taking ACEIs and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), which assume the possibility of increased infection with the emerging (Corona) virus (Covid 19) in Patients with high blood pressure, the association called for issuing a special statement in this regard alerting patients to the following:
This news is based on observations only and completely lacks evidence-based scientific medical practice.
Many medical societies related to high blood pressure care recommend continuing to take the indicated medicines, as well as continuing to monitor blood pressure measurement and contact the doctor if needed.
Individuals with chronic diseases, including high blood pressure, are at greater risk of being hospitalized due to the emerging "Corona" virus, which requires them, and those in contact with them, to adhere to the guidelines for avoiding infection as received from the Ministry of Health (Weqaya).
Extreme caution against stopping any medication to treat high blood pressure, to avoid dangerous complications such as: heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure due to a sudden rise in blood pressure after stopping the drug.
The "Saudi Society of Blood Pressure" is closely following any on chronic diseases in general, and high blood pressure in particular.
The "Saudi Society for the Care of Blood Pressure Patients" invites all people with high blood pressure to continue treatment, and to follow the instructions of the Ministry of Health, to consult, inquire, and communicate with the treating physician.
Prevention of patients with stress
Dr. Nawal Ahmed Basri, a consultant in nephrology and blood pressure, Secretary-General of the Saudi Society for Blood Pressure Care (Shams), also spoke to “Your Health”, and confirmed that “as blood pressure is one of the chronic diseases that affect the general health of the affected patient, high Blood pressure is generally classified as a high risk of infectious disease in the community Including infection (Covid 19), especially if the altitude was not controlled or was untreated, which also exposes the hypertensive patient to the risk of severe symptoms in the event of infection with the emerging (Corona) virus, and the risk of developing complications (Covid 19) more than those who control Their blood pressure is raised by medicines ».
And she affirms that “the most important step that hypertension patients can take, in light of the spread of (Covid 19), is to control it, and follow the treatment plan to protect from the serious health problems that can be caused by fluctuating and uncontrolled hypertension, and for people suffering from high blood pressure. Exercise caution during the epidemic, and reduce the risk of contracting the virus by following the following:
Continuing to monitor blood pressure: You should monitor blood pressure at home, noting that the average ideal blood pressure in adults is 80/120, and usually ranges between 85/135 and 60/100. The highest number is systolic pressure, which is the force with which the heart pumps blood Around the body, the lower number is the diastolic pressure and represents the resistance to blood flow in the blood vessels.
Staying at home: going out only for basic shopping, or for exercising once a day, and not traveling except for work if it is necessary, even if you are not self-isolated.
Washing hands frequently: It is the best way to protect against infection, and washing with soap and water for about 20 seconds, or by using sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent of alcohol, and not to touch the eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Reducing stress: Stress is one of the main contributors to an unbalanced immune system and susceptibility to infection, and it is important to try to reduce it as much as possible. And stress can suppress the immune system, and make a person more vulnerable to infection, according to several studies that have shown that stress causes the release of the hormone cortisol, which can promote inflammation, which is a precursor to many diseases. Chronic stress may also interfere with the ability of white blood cells to fight infection, making the patient more susceptible to disease.
Isolation when feeling sick: If you are the first person in your home to suffer from symptoms of the Coronavirus, you must stay at home for 7 days, however, for all other family members who stay in good health, they should stay at home, And not to leave the house for 14 days.
Hypertension
I spoke to "Your Health", Dr. Iman Manaji Ashkar, a consultant cardiologist and a member of the "Saudi Society for Blood Pressure (Shams)", and she explained that "with age and with certain diseases, such as high cholesterol and high blood sugar, calcification occurs. And roughness in the arteries, which prevents their constriction and relaxation when blood is pumped from the heart As a result, the heart muscle increases resistance to pumping blood to the vital organs. This rise in resistance is called hypertension. As the heart needs a pumping force greater than usual to pump blood into the arteries, if the systolic blood pressure exceeds 140 mm Hg, or the diastolic pressure is more than 90, then a person is diagnosed with high blood pressure. In most cases, especially in adults, there may be no symptoms, so it is called (the silent killer) where the patient does not complain about symptoms, but complains of the complications of the disease (increased heartbeat, frequent chronic headache, and shortness of breath when making any effort or when Sleep) ».
She added that «high blood pressure is either (primary) or (secondary), as follows
Primary hypertension: It is the most common and often inherited in the family, and affects adults over 35 years of age, obese and overweight, smokers, diabetes, psychological tension, lack of exercise, unhealthy nutrition, too much salt, and potassium deficiency In the blood, users of contraceptive drugs, stimulants, some sedatives, and drugs.
Secondary hypertension: it occurs in children and adolescents as a result of congenital differences from birth.
During pregnancy (usually with twins or pregnancies at a later age, or when pregnancy has f ed and the use of stimulation drugs, or because of a genetic factor).
After taking certain immunosuppressive medications such as cortisone.
It is accompanied by some immune diseases.
Smoking
obesity.
Dr. Ashkar warns of «complications from blood pressure They are very dangerous, and they cannot be repaired if they occur, the most important of which are: stroke, heart attack (as a result of coronary arteriosclerosis), diastolic heart failure (heart muscle failure), atrial oscillation in the heartbeat, kidney failure, damage to the fundus of the eye and optic nerve, And clogging of the arteries of the lower extremities.
High blood pressure is diagnosed when visiting the doctor and the initial measurement is done using a mercury or electronic device (under specific conditions and methods to ensure the correct reading). The measurement is repeated if necessary by measuring moving pressure for a period of 24 hours to ensure high pressure at home and in calm and sleep conditions.
And stresses that «treatment begins when the diagnosis is confirmed, even in the absence of symptoms or the rise in pressure exceeds 100/150, and to start with a healthy lifestyle of food and exercise, stopping smoking and weight loss, followed by treatment of the cause It may be surgical in some cases.
