Around 30% of Brazilian adults already suffer from high blood pressure

In recent years, the number of cases of high blood pressure in adults in Brazil has increased by 3.7%. The chronic disease, characterized by high levels of blood pressure in the arteries, already affects approximately 30% of the adult Brazilian population, according to data from the Ministry of Health.

On April 26th, National Day for the Prevention and Combat of High Blood Pressure is celebrated. The date is an opportunity to draw the attention of young people and adults to the importance of including healthy habits in their routine, which aim to reduce the risk of developing the disease in the future.

“Arterial hypertension, popularly known as high blood pressure, is a chronic disease characterized by the constant increase in blood pressure in the arteries. The main causes include: sedentary lifestyle, diet reduced in nutrients and high sodium/salt intake, in addition to smoking, alcohol consumption, aging, genetic factors, obesity and other health problems”, explains MedSênior cardiologist, Fabrício Bortolon.

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The doctor reinforces that once the disease is identified, it needs to be treated correctly to avoid the development of other diseases related to hypertension, such as heart complications, stroke, kidney and even eye changes. “It is also worth highlighting that high blood pressure becomes potentially serious during pregnancy, and can even affect sexual function in men and women, and lead to early mortality”, he states.

HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE ARE ALLIES

The specialist guarantees that adopting a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and physical activity, are fundamental measures to avoid the disease in the future. “Most chronic diseases can be avoided by adopting healthy habits from an early age. Arterial hypertension is, perhaps, the main one. Excluding genetic factors, which are not changed, and advancing age, which we cannot control, some behaviors that determine the development of the disease in the future can be reviewed”, he says.

Among the doctor’s main recommendations for reducing the risk of high blood pressure are: a balanced diet, rich in nutrients and as natural as possible, regular physical activity, at least 30 minutes five times a week, maintaining an adequate weight (always focusing on increased muscle mass and reduced body fat), avoid alcohol consumption and do not smoke.

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“Practicing regular physical activity contributes to reducing cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as helping to lose weight, which has a positive impact on blood pressure”, he explains.

Regarding food, the doctor is clear in recommending avoiding foods rich in salt. “Sodium is a major villain in the development and lack of control of blood pressure. More than reducing the amount of salt in food, it is necessary to pay attention to processed foods rich in sodium and avoid them as well”, he advises.

According to the expert, the ideal is to consume up to two grams of salt per day. “In Brazil, this consumption reaches seven grams of salt daily”, he comments.

HYPERTENSION AND AGE

According to the Ministry of Health, the incidence of hypertension increases with advancing age, being a less common problem in children and adolescents.

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But Fabrício warns that prevention habits should start from an early age. “Building a healthy lifestyle, which involves nutrition and physical activity, begins in childhood. Parents are primarily responsible for guiding their children towards these good habits that will make a difference to their health in the future”, he reinforces. “Today it is common to see children and adolescents eating a diet rich in sodium, which is so present in processed foods, such as snacks, biscuits and chips. In addition to observing a generation of more sedentary children and adolescents. This certainly favors the development of hypertension in the future. These children need to be guided towards building healthy habits,” he says.

Check out some risk factors for developing blood pressure:
• Family history (children of hypertensive parents are more likely to have high blood pressure);
• Inadequate nutrition (such as consumption of a high sodium diet, with excess salt);
• Obesity and overweight;
• Chronic stress;
• Alcohol consumption
• Smoking