Hypertension
Overview
Hypertension is a common condition where blood pressure is elevated. It is also called high blood pressure. Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (including stroke and myocardial infarction). According to the World Health Organization, by 2022 there will be over 1.13 billion people with hypertension worldwide. It is estimated that, in Greece, 25% of the general population suffer from hypertension.
Hypertension is classified into primary (idiopathic) hypertension and secondary hypertension. Approximately 90-95% of cases are classified as “idiopathic hypertension”, where patients have high blood pressure without an identifiable cause. The remaining 5-10% of hypertension cases are considered secondary, where the high blood pressure is attributed to endocrine causes, renal disease, or renal artery stenosis.
Diagnosis
Early diagnosis helps us effectively manage hypertension. A doctor diagnoses hypertension by measuring your blood pressure during a consultation. We usually need 2-3 successive high measurements from separate visits to make the diagnosis. A single visit is almost never enough to make a definite diagnosis. Hypertension is diagnosed when your blood pressure is consistently measured over 140/90 mmHg.
Treatment
Effectively managing your hypertension leads to an overall improvement in your quality of life and decreases your risk for cardiovascular events, which may lead to a cardiovascular related death. Medication that can help to manage your blood pressure includes calcium channel blockers, diuretics, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor antagonists.
Additionally, adopting a healthy diet which avoids salt, maintaining a healthy weight, not consuming alcohol in excess, and not smoking are integral in helping you manage your hypertension.
Why GMI
The Hypertension Center at the German Medical Institute specializes in diagnosing and treating hypertension and its complications. Patients with either idiopathic or secondary hypertension can be referred to the center, where they can be treated in accordance with the latest international, and European guidelines.
At the GMI, we see our patients holistically. At the Hypertension Center, we also treat patients with common comorbid diseases such as diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, obesity, or hyperuricemia. We offer both the best possible treatment and regular monitoring to patients with these diseases.
