Heart weeks Underestimated risk Hypertension

Health risk High blood pressure Focus on the Herzwochen

31.10.2011

High blood pressure is often underestimated by sufferers due to the lack of symptoms in the early stages of the disease. In actual fact, however, hypertension patients are threatening numerous sequelae such as strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, kidney failure and blindness, warns the German Heart Foundation in the run-up to this year's Herzwochen.

As the heart specialist and CEO of the German Heart Foundation, Thomas Meinertz, emphasized on the occasion of the 2011 Herzwochen 2011 in November, high blood pressure can become an acute health threat, especially in winter. In addition, according to the expert, hypertension is relatively widespread in Germany, with people of all ages and genders being increasingly affected. The symptoms are initially rather inconspicuous in view of the creeping clinical picture and are limited to mild headaches, hot flashes, heart pains and similar nonspecific complaints, explained the German Heart Foundation. However, in the later course of the disease hypertension brings with it numerous other health impairments and secondary diseases.

35 million Germans have high blood pressure
The German Heart Foundation therefore has this year's Herzwochen the theme „high blood pressure“ and with numerous contributions already in the run-up to the Herzwochen pointed to the special risks of high blood pressure. According to experts, have in Germany „Between 18 and 35 million people have high blood pressure“, whereby not only old people but also younger population groups are increasingly affected. According to the German Heart Foundation, up to ten million people do not even know about their hypertension. As Bernhard Schwaab from the Department of Cardiology of the Klinik Höhenried and member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the German Heart Foundation explained, is a high blood pressure today „the most common risk factor for cardiovascular disease“ in Germany, this being „also to do with the changes in our lifestyle“ have. But not only the ignorance of those affected is a significant problem in the treatment, but also the fact that many patients clearly underestimate the consequences of hypertension. In the initial stage exist „usually no treatment insight, because those affected do not feel sick“, added heart specialist Thomas Meinertz.

Blood pressure control in winter is especially important
The experts of the German Heart Foundation have also pointed out in their current press releases that the health risks of high blood pressure rise significantly both in the summer in particularly hot, humid weather and in winter when there is strong cold outside and often overheating. Although the exact causes of the increased symptoms in hypertensive patients in the winter have not been conclusively clarified, but some studies indicate that the heart rate and the concentration of vasodilator nitric oxide is lower in winter, said the experts of the German Hypertension League. Thus increase the risk of high blood pressure, which is why the affected people should control their blood pressure in the winter especially often, so the German high pressure league on. These blood pressure controls or the „strict compliance with the target below 140/90 mm Hg is important, especially in winter due to the seasonal risk“, stressed the expert of the German high pressure league, Joachim Leiblein.

Herzwochen are dedicated to hypertension
In general, those affected should take possible indications of hypertension seriously and consult a doctor in any case, so the statement of the German Heart Foundation and the German High Pressure League in the run-up to this year's Herzwochen. However, this is quite difficult for some patients, as they continue to feel very healthy for a long time despite the increased blood pressure. Over time, however, the high blood pressure damages all large and small blood vessels of the organism, which in the long term threatens significant circulatory disorders, health organizations warn. In the long term, vital organs are also affected, which in the worst case can lead to acute symptoms such as heart attacks, strokes or blindness, the experts say. Since hypertension can happen to almost anyone, should „at the latest from the 40th year of life“ Blood pressure is monitored preventively every year, Bernhard Schwaab said, adding: „Anyone who already knows cardiovascular diseases or high blood pressure from the family circle, should already from the age of 30 years“ start with the controls. (Fp)

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