THE EFFECTS, MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT OF HYPERTENSION

The adverse effects of hypertension principally involve the blood vessels, the central nervous system, the retina, the heart and the kidneys respectively. Structural changes in blood vessels via arteriosclerosis often promote and aggravate hypertension by increasing peripheral vascular resistance and reducing renal function. Stroke is a common complication of hypertension and may be due to cerebral haemorrhage or cerebral infraction. The excessive cardiac mortality and morbidity associated with hypertension is largely attributed to a higher incidence of coronary artery disease. Studies have shown that long standing hypertension may cause proteinuria and progressive renal failure by damaging the renal vasculature or blood vessels.



Management of hypertension requires a detailed understanding of the aetiology and pathogenesis, mechanism of control of elevated blood pressure. Such mechanisms include the baroceptor feedback mechanism, chemoreceptor mechanism,rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone mechanism, and the killikrein-kinin mechanism.



Treatment of hypertension involves the use of two approaches viz; the non-drug approach and the drug approach. Non-drug approach include dietary discipline such as salt restriction, less consumption of fatty foods, avoid smoking ,weight reduction therapy fro obese persons, reduced alcohol intake, partaking in exercises and adequate rest from strenuous activities. Drug approach should be utilized with caution since hypertension is a disease of decades. The drug regimen should have minimal side effect and well tolerated, must cause no organ damage at therapeutic doses, and have a gradual effect on decreasing elevated blood pressure. Examples of such drugs include indapamide, amiloride, clonidine, adomet (α methyldopa), hydralazine, captopril, trandolapril, losartan and so on.



Conclusively, hypertension is a deadly killer disease which can be effectively managed and treated, and prevented if healthy lifestyle and dietary discipline is practiced.