Table of Contents
It’s been a while since I last shared an update, but after reviewing the latest European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Hypertension Guidelines (2024), I felt it was the perfect time to talk about the importance of blood pressure management. If you’re interested in living a long, disease-free life, this is a must-read.
Instead of overwhelming you with information all at once, I’ll be breaking this down into a series of short articles covering:
- Why blood pressure is important
- How to measure blood pressure correctly
- Target blood pressure levels
- Lifestyle changes to manage blood pressure
- Medication options for blood pressure control
How Common Is High Blood Pressure?
The statistics are staggering—1.3 billion people worldwide have high blood pressure, and 46% of them don’t even know it! This silent condition often goes undiagnosed until it causes serious health problems. According to the Hypertension Guidelines 2024, early detection is crucial to preventing long-term complications.
Why Is Blood Pressure Important?
High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and premature death. For every 10mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure, the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure rises by 20-30%!
The Hypertension Guidelines 2024 emphasize that what makes high blood pressure especially dangerous is that it is often asymptomatic. You won’t know you have it unless you actively monitor it.
How Does High Blood Pressure Affect the Body?
Blood pressure exerts force on the aorta, the main artery that supplies oxygenated blood to every organ in your body. When pressure is too high, it slowly damages the arteries, leading to widespread organ damage. Over time, this can result in:
- Loss of vision
- Strokes
- Heart attacks
- Heart failure
- Kidney failure
- Erectile dysfunction
According to the Hypertension Guidelines 2024, the earlier you develop high blood pressure, the longer your organs are exposed to its harmful effects, increasing the likelihood of severe complications.
There Is No “Normal” Blood Pressure
The latest Hypertension Guidelines 2024 have eliminated the term “normal” and replaced it with “non-elevated.” Research has shown that even a slight increase in blood pressure—such as from 90mmHg to 100mmHg systolic—raises the risk of cardiovascular disease.
For example, someone with a reading of 120/70 has a higher risk than someone with 100/60. This shift in perspective highlights the importance of maintaining the lowest safe blood pressure possible.
Why Do People Develop High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure can be classified into two main types:
- Primary Hypertension (90% of cases) – This form has no single identifiable cause. It results from a combination of genetics, weight, lifestyle factors, medications, and smoking. The Hypertension Guidelines 2024 stress the importance of lifestyle changes in preventing and managing primary hypertension.
- Secondary Hypertension – This occurs due to specific underlying conditions, mainly affecting the kidneys or hormones. Some common causes include:
Final Thoughts
High blood pressure is incredibly common and often goes unnoticed. The Hypertension Guidelines 2024 emphasize that the only way to know if you have it is to check regularly. If you want to live a long, healthy life, taking control of your blood pressure is non-negotiable.
In upcoming articles, we’ll explore how to measure blood pressure correctly, set realistic targets, and make effective lifestyle changes. Stay tuned!
