Health Info > Blood Pressure Published on : October 26, 2024

How blood pressure affects your organs?

Name: Hola Health
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Written by Dr Mark Mellor, FRACGP DCH MBChB BSc

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines high blood pressure, or hypertension, as a condition in which the pressure in your blood vessels measures 140/90 mmHg or higher. In Australia, approximately 1 in 4 adults live with hypertension, yet only half are aware of their condition. This condition is more prevalent in men than in women, and the risk of developing high blood pressure increases with age.

What organ is most affected by blood pressure?

Hypertension is a significant risk factor for various diseases, including cardiovascular and kidney disease. The good news is that effectively managing high blood pressure can reduce the risk of these conditions. Diagnosing hypertension involves taking a series of blood pressure readings over time. A doctor or pharmacist can check your blood pressure in a clinic setting, and in some cases, an ambulatory blood pressure monitor is recommended for continuous monitoring over 24 hours. Alternatively, you can use a validated home blood pressure monitor purchased from a reputable store or pharmacy. It’s crucial to ensure that any device you choose is accurate and validated for home use in Australia.

How to get accurate blood pressure readings?

To obtain accurate blood pressure readings, sit comfortably with your legs uncrossed, and rest for several minutes beforehand. Ideally, avoid caffeine and smoking for a few hours prior to the measurement. A reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher in a clinic, or 135/85 mmHg or higher with home or ambulatory monitoring, indicates high blood pressure. To confirm the diagnosis, an average of multiple readings taken over at least five days should be considered.

How long does it take for high blood pressure to cause organ damage?

While most cases of hypertension do not have a specific cause, several factors can increase your risk. These include a family history of hypertension, having overweight or obesity, a high-salt diet, excessive alcohol consumption, snoring/sleep apnoea, and a sedentary lifestyle. This type of hypertension, which develops slowly over years, is known as primary or essential hypertension.

When to consult doctor?

Often referred to as a "silent killer," hypertension may not cause symptoms. However, very high blood pressure (above 180/120 mmHg) can lead to symptoms such as headaches, nausea, confusion, breathlessness and visual disturbances. If you experience any of these symptoms, or if your blood pressure readings at home exceed this range, it’s important to consult a doctor immediately. Some individuals with very high blood pressure may have an underlying health condition causing hypertension. This is known as secondary hypertension and may be caused by an adrenal gland tumour, kidney disease, or thyroid disease. Additionally, some people may experience elevated blood pressure simply due to the stress of a health check, a phenomenon called white coat hypertension, named for the white lab coats often worn by doctors.

Important tips

Regular blood pressure checks are essential, particularly if you have risk factors for hypertension. If you're concerned about your blood pressure or fall into a higher risk category, getting checked is vital. As part of routine heart health assessments, blood pressure screenings are recommended every two years for men and women aged 45 and older, or from age 30 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Diet:

Fortunately, there are many safe and effective treatment options for hypertension. While medication is often necessary, addressing lifestyle factors contributing to high blood pressure is equally important. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet is an evidence-based healthy eating approach to prevent and treat hypertension. This diet limits salt and saturated fat intake and promotes fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Lifestyle:

Exercise is also important for the management of hypertension. Regular physical activity of moderate intensity for at least 150 minutes per week helps to lower blood pressure. There is no single exercise proven to be more beneficial than another. Choose an activity that is enjoyable, affordable and achievable to support long-term adherence. Remember, doing something is better than nothing and more is better than less.

Sleep:

Sleep quality and quantity are also important for blood pressure and long-term physical health and wellbeing. It has been shown that people getting less than six hours per night are at an increased risk of developing high blood pressure. One condition that impacts on sleep quality is obstructive sleep apnoea, in which the upper airways become blocked during sleep. Around 5% of Australians have this condition. It is associated with daytime tiredness, headache and high blood pressure. Symptoms can include loud snoring, witnessed episodes of stopping breathing (apnoea) when sleeping, and fatigue. A person with obstructive sleep apnoea might not recognise the symptoms or be unaware they have it. Risk factors include being male, having a thicker neck, and having overweight/obesity. If obstructive sleep apnoea is suspected, it is important to get screened by your doctor. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is a simple screening questionnaire that you can complete online to estimate whether you are experiencing excessive sleepiness that warrants further evaluation.

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