The world's top deadly diseases
Out of 57 million total deaths worldwide, heart disease accounts for more than 12%. See the table below for the rest of the top ten deadly diseases.
Disease Annual mortality Percent of all deaths
Source: World Health Organization (WHO)
Disease Annual mortality Percent of all deaths
- Ischaemic Heart Disease 7.25 million 12.8%
- Cerebrovascular Disease 6.15 million 10.8%
- Lower Respiratory Infections 3.46 million 6.1%
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 3.28 million 5.8%
- Diarrhoeal Diseases 2.46 million 4.3%
- HIV/AIDS 1.78 million 3.1%
- Trachea, Bronchus, Lung Cancers 1.39 million 2.4%
- Tuberculosis 1.34 million 2.4%
- Diabetes Mellitus 1.26 million 2.2%
- Hypertensive Heart Disease 1.15 million 2.0%
Source: World Health Organization (WHO)
how dangerous are they?
Top #1: ISCHAEMIC HEART DISEASE
Ischaemic heart disease, is also called Coronary
heart disease (CHD). Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease, killing nearly 380,000 people annually. It's also the UK's biggest killer, causing around 82,000 deaths each year. About one in five men and one in eight women die from the disease.
CHD generally affects more men than women, but from the age of 50 the chances of developing CHD are similar for men and women.
As well as angina (chest pain), the main symptoms of CHD are heart attacks and heart failure. However, not everyone has the same symptoms and some people may not have any before CHD is diagnosed.
Treating coronary heart disease
Although coronary heart disease cannot be cured, treatment can help manage the symptoms and reduce the chances of problems such as heart attacks.
Treatment can include lifestyle changes, such as doing regular exercise and stopping smoking, as well as medication and surgery.
CHD generally affects more men than women, but from the age of 50 the chances of developing CHD are similar for men and women.
As well as angina (chest pain), the main symptoms of CHD are heart attacks and heart failure. However, not everyone has the same symptoms and some people may not have any before CHD is diagnosed.
Treating coronary heart disease
Although coronary heart disease cannot be cured, treatment can help manage the symptoms and reduce the chances of problems such as heart attacks.
Treatment can include lifestyle changes, such as doing regular exercise and stopping smoking, as well as medication and surgery.
Top #2: CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASE
Cerebrovascular disease (strokes, aneurysms) is a group of brain dysfunctions related to disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain. Hypertension is the most important cause; it damages the blood vessel lining, endothelium, exposing the underlying collagen where platelets aggregate to initiate a repairing process which is not always complete and perfect. Sustained hypertension permanently changes the architecture of the blood vessels making them narrow, stiff, deformed, uneven and more vulnerable to fluctuations in blood pressure.
A fall in blood pressure during sleep can then lead to a marked reduction in blood flow in the narrowed blood vessels causing ischemic stroke in the morning. Conversely, a sudden rise in blood pressure due to excitation during the daytime can cause tearing of the blood vessels resulting in intracranial hemorrhage. Cerebrovascular disease primarily affects people who are elderly or have a history of diabetes, smoking, or ischemic heart disease. The results of cerebrovascular disease can include a stroke, or occasionally a hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemia or other blood vessel dysfunctions can affect the person during a cerebrovascular incident.
Cardiovascular diseases killed 17.5 million people in 2012, that is 3 in every 10 deaths. Of these, 7.4 million people died of ischaemic heart disease and 6.7 million from stroke.
A fall in blood pressure during sleep can then lead to a marked reduction in blood flow in the narrowed blood vessels causing ischemic stroke in the morning. Conversely, a sudden rise in blood pressure due to excitation during the daytime can cause tearing of the blood vessels resulting in intracranial hemorrhage. Cerebrovascular disease primarily affects people who are elderly or have a history of diabetes, smoking, or ischemic heart disease. The results of cerebrovascular disease can include a stroke, or occasionally a hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemia or other blood vessel dysfunctions can affect the person during a cerebrovascular incident.
Cardiovascular diseases killed 17.5 million people in 2012, that is 3 in every 10 deaths. Of these, 7.4 million people died of ischaemic heart disease and 6.7 million from stroke.
Top #3: LOWER RESPIRATORY INFECTION
Lower respiratory (tract) infection or LTRI is a generic term for an acute infection of the trachea (windpipe), airways and lungs, which make up the lower respiratory system. LTRIs include bronchitis, croup and pneumonia. Although influenza (the flu) can involve the lower respiratory system, it is not considered among the group of illnesses referred to by the term "lower respiratory infection."
Lower respiratory infections are more common in the winter because people tend to stay indoors and share the same recirculated air (and germs). Symptoms of LTRIs vary depending on the type of infection, but often include nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever and lethargy.
The best way to prevent LTRIs is to practice good hygiene, since they are usually spread by hands coming into contact with secretions from an infected person. This means a lot of hand-washing and minimal physical contact with the sick person, especially in a place where someone has an LTRI. Someone who has an LTRI should stay home from work or school to prevent spreading it. You can also get vaccinated against some respiratory infections, such as pneumonia and the flu.
Lower respiratory infections are more common in the winter because people tend to stay indoors and share the same recirculated air (and germs). Symptoms of LTRIs vary depending on the type of infection, but often include nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever and lethargy.
The best way to prevent LTRIs is to practice good hygiene, since they are usually spread by hands coming into contact with secretions from an infected person. This means a lot of hand-washing and minimal physical contact with the sick person, especially in a place where someone has an LTRI. Someone who has an LTRI should stay home from work or school to prevent spreading it. You can also get vaccinated against some respiratory infections, such as pneumonia and the flu.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a collection of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airways disease.
People with COPD have difficulties breathing, primarily due to the narrowing of their airways, this is called airflow obstruction.
Typical symptoms of COPD include:
Why does COPD happen? The main cause of COPD is smoking. The likelihood of developing COPD increases the more you smoke and the longer you've been smoking. This is because smoking irritates and inflames the lungs, which results in scarring.
Over many years, the inflammation leads to permanent changes in the lung. The walls of the airways thicken and more mucus is produced. Damage to the delicate walls of the air sacs in the lungs causes emphysema and the lungs lose their normal elasticity. The smaller airways also become scarred and narrowed. These changes cause the symptoms of breathlessness, cough and phlegm associated with COPD.
Some cases of COPD are caused by fumes, dust, air pollution and genetic disorders, but these are rarer.
People with COPD have difficulties breathing, primarily due to the narrowing of their airways, this is called airflow obstruction.
Typical symptoms of COPD include:
- increasing breathlessness when active
- a persistent cough with phlegm
- frequent chest infections
Why does COPD happen? The main cause of COPD is smoking. The likelihood of developing COPD increases the more you smoke and the longer you've been smoking. This is because smoking irritates and inflames the lungs, which results in scarring.
Over many years, the inflammation leads to permanent changes in the lung. The walls of the airways thicken and more mucus is produced. Damage to the delicate walls of the air sacs in the lungs causes emphysema and the lungs lose their normal elasticity. The smaller airways also become scarred and narrowed. These changes cause the symptoms of breathlessness, cough and phlegm associated with COPD.
Some cases of COPD are caused by fumes, dust, air pollution and genetic disorders, but these are rarer.
Top #5: DIARRHOEAL
Diarrhoeal (Diarrhea), frequent discharge of watery feces from the intestines, sometimes containing blood and mucus. It can be caused by excessive indulgence in alcohol or other liquids or foods that prove irritating to the stomach or intestine, by allergy to certain food products, by poisoning with heavy metals, by chemicals such as are found in cathartics, by hyperactivity of the nervous system, and by infection with a virus (intestinal grippe) or with bacteria or their toxins.
Diarrhea is a concomitant of many infectious diseases, especially typhoid fever, bacillary or amebic dysentery, and cholera. Persistent diarrhea may result in severe dehydration and shock. It is therefore necessary to replace the fluid lost by the body. Treatment is with a bland diet and drugs that will decrease the activity of the intestines, as well as with specific measures directed at the underlying cause. The elderly are at especially high risk for diarrheal deaths caused by viruses. Ulcerative colitis is an inflamatory and ulcerative disease of the colon, properly described as "irritable bowl," and characterized by bloody diarrhea. Crohn's disease affects the distal ileum and colon, but may occur in any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus and perianal area. The symptoms are chronic diarrhea associated with abdominal pain, fever, anorexia, weight loss, and a mass or fullness in the right lower quadrant (of the abdomen).
Diarrhea is a concomitant of many infectious diseases, especially typhoid fever, bacillary or amebic dysentery, and cholera. Persistent diarrhea may result in severe dehydration and shock. It is therefore necessary to replace the fluid lost by the body. Treatment is with a bland diet and drugs that will decrease the activity of the intestines, as well as with specific measures directed at the underlying cause. The elderly are at especially high risk for diarrheal deaths caused by viruses. Ulcerative colitis is an inflamatory and ulcerative disease of the colon, properly described as "irritable bowl," and characterized by bloody diarrhea. Crohn's disease affects the distal ileum and colon, but may occur in any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus and perianal area. The symptoms are chronic diarrhea associated with abdominal pain, fever, anorexia, weight loss, and a mass or fullness in the right lower quadrant (of the abdomen).
Top #6: HIV/AIDS
HIV is a virus most commonly caught by having sex without a condom.
It can also be passed on by sharing infected needles and other injecting equipment, and from an HIV-positive mother to her child during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding.
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. The virus attacks the immune system, and weakens your ability to fight infections and disease.
There is no cure for HIV, but there are treatments to enable most people with the virus to live a long and healthy life.
AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection, when your body can no longer fight life-threatening infections. With early diagnosis and effective treatment, most people with HIV will not go on to develop AIDS.
How common is HIV?
Since the beginning of the epidemic, almost 75 million people have been infected with the HIV virus and about 36 million people have died of HIV.
Globally, 35.3 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2012.
Symptoms of HIV
Most people who are infected with HIV experience a short, flu-like illness that occurs two to six weeks after infection. After this, HIV often causes no symptoms for several years.
The flu-like illness that often occurs a few weeks after HIV infection is also known as seroconversion illness. It's estimated that up to 80% of people who are infected with HIV experience this illness.
The most common symptoms are:
Other symptoms can include:
The symptoms, which can last up to four weeks, are a sign that your immune system is putting up a fight against the virus.
These symptoms can all be caused by conditions other than HIV, and do not mean you have the virus.
However, if you have several of these symptoms, and you think you have been at risk of HIV infection, you should get an HIV test.
After the initial symptoms disappear, HIV will often not cause any further symptoms for many years. During this time, known as asymptomatic HIV infection, the virus continues to spread and damage your immune system. This process can take about 10 years, during which you will feel and appear well.
It is important to remember that not everyone with HIV experiences early symptoms, so you should still take an HIV test if you have put yourself as risk, even if you experience no symptoms.
Late-stage HIV infection
If left untreated, HIV will weaken your ability to fight infection so much that you become vulnerable to serious illnesses.
This stage of infection is known as AIDS, although doctors now prefer to use the term late-stage HIV infection.
Typically, a person with late-stage HIV infection has:
At this stage, you are at increased risk of life-threatening illnesses such as tuberculosis, pneumonia and some cancers. Many of these, though serious, can be treated and your health is likely to improve if you start HIV treatment.
It can also be passed on by sharing infected needles and other injecting equipment, and from an HIV-positive mother to her child during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding.
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. The virus attacks the immune system, and weakens your ability to fight infections and disease.
There is no cure for HIV, but there are treatments to enable most people with the virus to live a long and healthy life.
AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection, when your body can no longer fight life-threatening infections. With early diagnosis and effective treatment, most people with HIV will not go on to develop AIDS.
How common is HIV?
Since the beginning of the epidemic, almost 75 million people have been infected with the HIV virus and about 36 million people have died of HIV.
Globally, 35.3 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2012.
Symptoms of HIV
Most people who are infected with HIV experience a short, flu-like illness that occurs two to six weeks after infection. After this, HIV often causes no symptoms for several years.
The flu-like illness that often occurs a few weeks after HIV infection is also known as seroconversion illness. It's estimated that up to 80% of people who are infected with HIV experience this illness.
The most common symptoms are:
- fever (raised temperature)
- sore throat
- body rash
Other symptoms can include:
- tiredness
- joint pain
- muscle pain
- swollen glands (nodes)
The symptoms, which can last up to four weeks, are a sign that your immune system is putting up a fight against the virus.
These symptoms can all be caused by conditions other than HIV, and do not mean you have the virus.
However, if you have several of these symptoms, and you think you have been at risk of HIV infection, you should get an HIV test.
After the initial symptoms disappear, HIV will often not cause any further symptoms for many years. During this time, known as asymptomatic HIV infection, the virus continues to spread and damage your immune system. This process can take about 10 years, during which you will feel and appear well.
It is important to remember that not everyone with HIV experiences early symptoms, so you should still take an HIV test if you have put yourself as risk, even if you experience no symptoms.
Late-stage HIV infection
If left untreated, HIV will weaken your ability to fight infection so much that you become vulnerable to serious illnesses.
This stage of infection is known as AIDS, although doctors now prefer to use the term late-stage HIV infection.
Typically, a person with late-stage HIV infection has:
- persistent tiredness
- night sweats
- weight loss
- persistent diarrhoea
- blurred vision
- white spots on the tongue or mouth
- dry cough
- shortness of breath
- fever of above 37C (100F) that lasts a number of weeks
- swollen glands that last for more than three months
At this stage, you are at increased risk of life-threatening illnesses such as tuberculosis, pneumonia and some cancers. Many of these, though serious, can be treated and your health is likely to improve if you start HIV treatment.
Top #7: CANCER
Cancer is really a group of diseases. There are more than 100 different types of cancer, but they all are a disease of some of the body's cells.
Healthy cells that make up the body's tissues grow, divide, and replace themselves in an orderly way. This process keeps the body in good repair. Sometimes, however, normal cells lose their ability to limit and direct their growth. They divide too rapidly and grow without any order. Too much tissue is produced and tumors begin to form. Tumors can be either benign or malignant.
Benign tumors are not cancer. They do not spread to other parts of the body and they are seldom a threat to life. Often, benign tumors can be removed by surgery, and they are not likely to return. Malignant tumors are cancer. They can invade and destroy nearby tissue and organs. Cancer cells also can spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body, and form new tumors.
Because cancer can spread, it is important for the doctor to find out as early as possible if a tumor is present and if it is cancer. As soon as a diagnosis is made, treatment can begin.
Signs and Symptoms of Cancer
Cancer and other illnesses often cause a number of problems you can watch for. The most common warning signs of cancer are:
These signs and symptoms can be caused by cancer or by a number of other problems. They are not a sure sign of cancer. However, it is important to see a doctor if any problem lasts as long as two weeks. Don't wait for symptoms to become painful; pain is not an early sign of cancer.
Healthy cells that make up the body's tissues grow, divide, and replace themselves in an orderly way. This process keeps the body in good repair. Sometimes, however, normal cells lose their ability to limit and direct their growth. They divide too rapidly and grow without any order. Too much tissue is produced and tumors begin to form. Tumors can be either benign or malignant.
Benign tumors are not cancer. They do not spread to other parts of the body and they are seldom a threat to life. Often, benign tumors can be removed by surgery, and they are not likely to return. Malignant tumors are cancer. They can invade and destroy nearby tissue and organs. Cancer cells also can spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body, and form new tumors.
Because cancer can spread, it is important for the doctor to find out as early as possible if a tumor is present and if it is cancer. As soon as a diagnosis is made, treatment can begin.
Signs and Symptoms of Cancer
Cancer and other illnesses often cause a number of problems you can watch for. The most common warning signs of cancer are:
- Change in bowel or bladder habits;
- A sore that does not heal;
- Unusual bleeding or discharge;
- Thickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere;
- Indigestion or difficulty swallowing;
- Obvious change in a wart or mole;
- Nagging cough or hoarseness.
These signs and symptoms can be caused by cancer or by a number of other problems. They are not a sure sign of cancer. However, it is important to see a doctor if any problem lasts as long as two weeks. Don't wait for symptoms to become painful; pain is not an early sign of cancer.
Top #8: TUBERCULOSIS (TB)
Tuberculosis (TB) - causing bacteria is passed from person to person through the air when someone with the disease coughs or sneezes. People who are nearby may
get infected after breathing in bacteria. The bacteria can attack any part of
the body, but they usually stick to the lungs.
People with TB disease are most likely to spread
it to those they spend time with every day, like their family or co- workers.
Latent TB Infection
Potent Fact
Pulmonary tuberculosis, or TB of the lungs, is the most common form of TB. TB can also attack the spine, bones and joints, the central nervous system, the gastrointestinal tract, the lymph system, and the heart.
Only 5 to 10 percent of healthy people who come in contact with TB bacteria will ever get sick. The vast majority of them will live with dormant TB bacteria in their bodies throughout their lives, because their immune systems are able to fight the bacteria and stop them from growing. People with latent TB don't feel sick, don't have symptoms, and can't spread TB. However, the bacteria remain alive in the body and can become active later. They have what are called latent infections.
Potent Fact
TB is spread through the air, not through handshakes, sitting on toilet seats, or sharing dishes and utensils with someone who has TB. However, casual exposure is not sufficient for someone to get TB.
If at some point in their lives their immune system is weakened, the once-dormant bacteria may begin to grow again and cause active tuberculosis. Sometimes, doctors will recommend that people with latent TB infections take medicine to prevent development of active disease. The medicine is usually a drug called isoniazid (INH), which kills the TB bacteria that are in the body. Usually the course of treatment is six to nine months. Children and people with HIV infection, however, sometimes have to take INH for a longer period of time.
Active TB Disease
Disease Diction
Latent TB infection A person with a latent TB infection has no symptoms and does not feel sick. They cannot spread TB to others although if they are tested for it, the test will indicate that they have been exposed to the bacteria. Chest x-rays and sputum tests will be negative. In latent infection, the immune system “walls off” the bacteria, which form a thick, waxy coat and can lie dormant that way for years.
Active TB infection A person with active TB has symptoms, including cough, chest pain, coughing up blood or sputum, weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, chills, fever, and night sweats. They can spread TB to others, and a skin test for the disease will show positive results. They may also have an abnormal chest x-ray and/or positive sputum smear or culture.
TB bacteria become active if the body's immune system can't stop them from growing. They then multiply and make people sick. A small number of people get sick soon after they are infected, but most reactivate after years of latent infection.
Babies, young children, and people infected with HIV have weak immune systems and are more likely to develop active TB. Other conditions, like diabetes, leukemia, severe kidney disease, low body weight, and substance abuse, also can make a person more likely to come down with an active case of TB.
Symptoms of TB depend on where in the body the bacteria grow, but most of the time they grow in the lungs. When they do, the symptoms are …
Left untreated, a person with active TB will infect an average of between 10 to 15 people per year.
Latent TB Infection
Potent Fact
Pulmonary tuberculosis, or TB of the lungs, is the most common form of TB. TB can also attack the spine, bones and joints, the central nervous system, the gastrointestinal tract, the lymph system, and the heart.
Only 5 to 10 percent of healthy people who come in contact with TB bacteria will ever get sick. The vast majority of them will live with dormant TB bacteria in their bodies throughout their lives, because their immune systems are able to fight the bacteria and stop them from growing. People with latent TB don't feel sick, don't have symptoms, and can't spread TB. However, the bacteria remain alive in the body and can become active later. They have what are called latent infections.
Potent Fact
TB is spread through the air, not through handshakes, sitting on toilet seats, or sharing dishes and utensils with someone who has TB. However, casual exposure is not sufficient for someone to get TB.
If at some point in their lives their immune system is weakened, the once-dormant bacteria may begin to grow again and cause active tuberculosis. Sometimes, doctors will recommend that people with latent TB infections take medicine to prevent development of active disease. The medicine is usually a drug called isoniazid (INH), which kills the TB bacteria that are in the body. Usually the course of treatment is six to nine months. Children and people with HIV infection, however, sometimes have to take INH for a longer period of time.
Active TB Disease
Disease Diction
Latent TB infection A person with a latent TB infection has no symptoms and does not feel sick. They cannot spread TB to others although if they are tested for it, the test will indicate that they have been exposed to the bacteria. Chest x-rays and sputum tests will be negative. In latent infection, the immune system “walls off” the bacteria, which form a thick, waxy coat and can lie dormant that way for years.
Active TB infection A person with active TB has symptoms, including cough, chest pain, coughing up blood or sputum, weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, chills, fever, and night sweats. They can spread TB to others, and a skin test for the disease will show positive results. They may also have an abnormal chest x-ray and/or positive sputum smear or culture.
TB bacteria become active if the body's immune system can't stop them from growing. They then multiply and make people sick. A small number of people get sick soon after they are infected, but most reactivate after years of latent infection.
Babies, young children, and people infected with HIV have weak immune systems and are more likely to develop active TB. Other conditions, like diabetes, leukemia, severe kidney disease, low body weight, and substance abuse, also can make a person more likely to come down with an active case of TB.
Symptoms of TB depend on where in the body the bacteria grow, but most of the time they grow in the lungs. When they do, the symptoms are …
- A bad cough that lasts longer than two weeks.
- Pain in the chest.
- Coughing up blood or sputum.
- Weakness or fatigue.
- Weight loss.
- Loss of appetite.
- Chills.
- Fever.
- Sweating at night.
Left untreated, a person with active TB will infect an average of between 10 to 15 people per year.
Top #9: DIABETES
Diabetes facts
Diabetes treatment depends on the type and severity of the diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is treated with insulin, exercise, and a diabetic diet. Type 2 diabetes is first treated with weight reduction, a diabetic diet, and exercise. When these measures fail to control the elevated blood sugars, oral medications are used. If oral medications are still insufficient, insulin and other injectable medications are considered.
Globally, as of 2013, an estimated 382 million people have diabetes worldwide, with type 2 diabetes making up about 90% of the cases. This is equal to 8.3% of the adults population, with equal rates in both women and men. Worldwide in 2012 and 2013 diabetes resulted in 1.5 to 5.1 million deaths per year, making it the 8th leading cause of death. Diabetes overall at least doubles the risk of death. The number of people with diabetes is expected to rise to 592 million by 2035.
- Diabetes is a chronic condition associated with abnormally high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood.
- Insulin produced by the pancreas lowers blood glucose.
- Absence or insufficient production of insulin causes diabetes.
- The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 and type 2. Former names for these conditions were insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetes, or juvenile onset and adult onset diabetes.
- Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue.
Diabetes treatment depends on the type and severity of the diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is treated with insulin, exercise, and a diabetic diet. Type 2 diabetes is first treated with weight reduction, a diabetic diet, and exercise. When these measures fail to control the elevated blood sugars, oral medications are used. If oral medications are still insufficient, insulin and other injectable medications are considered.
Globally, as of 2013, an estimated 382 million people have diabetes worldwide, with type 2 diabetes making up about 90% of the cases. This is equal to 8.3% of the adults population, with equal rates in both women and men. Worldwide in 2012 and 2013 diabetes resulted in 1.5 to 5.1 million deaths per year, making it the 8th leading cause of death. Diabetes overall at least doubles the risk of death. The number of people with diabetes is expected to rise to 592 million by 2035.
Top #10: HYPERTENSIVE HEART DISEASE
Hypertensive heart disease refers to heart problems that occur because of high blood pressure. These problems include:
Causes
High blood pressure means the pressure inside the blood vessels (called
arteries) is too high. As the heart pumps against this pressure, it must work
harder. Over time, this causes the heart muscle to thicken.
Without treatment, symptoms of heart failure may develop. Sometimes the muscle can be so thick that it does not get enough oxygen. This can cause angina (chest pain).
High blood pressure also leads to thickening of the blood vessel walls. When combined with cholesterol deposits in the blood vessels, the risk of heart attacks and stroke increases.
Hypertensive heart disease is the leading cause of illness and death from high blood pressure.
Prevention
Because there are no symptoms with high blood pressure, people can have the condition without knowing it. Diagnosing high blood pressure early can help prevent heart disease, stroke, eye problems, and chronic kidney disease.
All adults should have their blood pressure checked:
- Coronary artery disease and angina
- Heart failure
- Thickening of the heart muscle (called hypertrophy)
Causes
High blood pressure means the pressure inside the blood vessels (called
arteries) is too high. As the heart pumps against this pressure, it must work
harder. Over time, this causes the heart muscle to thicken.
Without treatment, symptoms of heart failure may develop. Sometimes the muscle can be so thick that it does not get enough oxygen. This can cause angina (chest pain).
High blood pressure also leads to thickening of the blood vessel walls. When combined with cholesterol deposits in the blood vessels, the risk of heart attacks and stroke increases.
Hypertensive heart disease is the leading cause of illness and death from high blood pressure.
Prevention
Because there are no symptoms with high blood pressure, people can have the condition without knowing it. Diagnosing high blood pressure early can help prevent heart disease, stroke, eye problems, and chronic kidney disease.
All adults should have their blood pressure checked:
- Every 2 years, if their blood pressure was less than 120/80 mmHg at their most recent reading
- Once a year if their blood pressure was 120 - 139/80 - 89 mmHg
- Do not stop or change high blood pressure medications, except on the advice of your health care provider.
- Carefully control diabetes and high cholesterol.
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