Like many of the chronic diseases we’ve discussed so far, hypertension is a lifelong condition, and needs close monitoring. We’re taking a closer look at what hypertension is, how it can be prevented and how Jinga Life can help you manage hypertension.

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension is essentially another name for high blood pressure. According to the Mayo Clinic “high blood pressure is a common condition in which the long-term force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease.” Blood pressure is calculated by measuring the pressure of your blood vessels when your heart beats, and putting it over the measurement of the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart rests between beats. (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention).

Who Does Hypertension Affect?

The World Health Organisation reports that 1.13 billion people worldwide have hypertension. Of these, 1 in 4 men had hypertension in 2015 whilst 1 in 5 women had hypertension that same year. A 2013 publication on hypertension by WHO states that, “overall, high-income countries have a lower prevalence of hypertension - 35% - than other groups at 40%”

Symptoms of Hypertension

Unfortunately, hypertension often shows no signs or symptoms. A blood pressure reading can be off the scale, and you may never have experienced any symptoms. WHO says “sometimes hypertension causes symptoms such as headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, palpitations of the heart and nose bleeds.”

Causes of Hypertension

In over 90% of cases, the cause of high blood pressure (hypertension) is unknown but several factors can increase your risk of developing the condition (HSE).

There are two types of hypertension. Primary (or Essentia) Hypertension, and Secondary Hypertension.

Primary hypertension builds up over a number of years.

Causes of Primary Hypertension include:

Smoking
Drinking large amounts of alcohol
Stress
Family history/genetics
Being overweight
High fat diet
High sodium diet

Secondary hypertension occurs due to an underlying condition and can appear quite suddenly. The Mayo Clinic notes that certain medications and illnesses can lead to hypertension. These can include:

Obstructive sleep apnea
Kidney problems
Adrenal gland tumors
Thyroid problems
Medications, such as birth control pills, cold remedies, decongestants, over-the-counter pain relievers and some prescription drugs

Prevention of Hypertension

High blood pressure can be prevented. Even if you or someone in your family has already been diagnosed with hypertension, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the impact of the condition.

These include:

A healthy diet - low fat and low sodium diets are best for hypertension
Exercise - CDC recommends 2 and a half hours of brisk exercise a week
Don’t smoke
Reduce alcohol intake
Reduce stress - exercise, meditation and yoga are great ways to reduce your stress

Manage Hypertension with Jinga Life

As you know, Jinga Life and digital healthcare go hand in hand. We want you and your family to be proactive in looking after your health. A vital part of this is to take control and have access to your health and wellbeing information in the palm of your hand.

When it comes to hypertension, monitoring is key to managing. With Jinga Life and new innovative technology you can monitor and track your blood pressure in the comfort of your own home.

By using a sphygmomanometer (a blood pressure machine), that connects to your smartphone or tablet via bluetooth you can monitor and track your blood pressure as often as you like on your Jinga Life app.

This not only allows you to check your blood pressure, but you can make the lifestyle changes needed to reduce your blood pressure.

The ability to track and make an automatic record of your blood pressure reading also allows you to share the stats with your doctor, saving you time and energy should there be a need for a visit.

Hypertension & Digital Health Technology