High Blood Pressure: Why is it Called the "Silent Enemy"?

The Physiology of Hypertension

High blood pressure, or medically hypertension, is the condition where the pressure applied by the blood to the vessel walls is above the normal limits (usually 120/80 mmHg). Over time, this pressure erodes, cracks, and weakens vessel walls like excessive water pressure in a garden hose. These weakened areas become ideal areas for the accumulation of cholesterol plaques.

Why "Silent Enemy"?

The most important feature that makes hypertension dangerous is that it doesn't show any symptoms in a large part of patients. Many people only find out their blood pressure is high when complications such as heart failure, kidney damage, or vision loss develop. Symptoms such as severe headache, nosebleeds, or shortness of breath seen in rare cases are usually signs that blood pressure has reached very dangerous levels (hypertensive crisis).

Target Organs of Hypertension

• Heart: Left ventricular enlargement, coronary artery disease, and heart failure.
• Brain: Ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, risk of dementia.
• Kidneys: Chronic kidney failure and need for dialysis.
• Eyes: Retinal damage and vision loss.

Modern Treatment and Follow-up

Within Dr. med. Gazi Keskin's clinics, hypertension management doesn't just consist of prescribing medicine. We analyze blood pressure curves in real-life conditions by doing 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) for our patients. In treatment, we combine diet (DASH diet), sodium restriction, regular exercise, and, if necessary, the most modern pharmacological approaches. Remember, blood pressure can be taken under control and saves lives.