Despite the availability of effective treatments, more than half of people with high blood pressure (hypertension) cannot control it properly. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and affects more than a billion people worldwide, including more than 150 million in Europe. However, even with proper treatment, many patients do not achieve normal blood pressure. This increases the risk of serious complications such as chronic kidney disease and increased mortality.
The problem may be due to a lack of understanding of the factors that influence treatment success. Research shows that there are several reasons why blood pressure remains high, even with therapy:
- ✔ Advanced age
- ✔ Overweight or obesity
- ✔ Excessive sodium intake
- ✔ Low potassium levels
- ✔ Albuminuria
- ✔ Elevated creatinine level
However, these factors are not yet included in current recommendations for family physicians regarding blood pressure control.
To better understand the causes of uncontrolled high blood pressure, data from a Swedish study was analyzed, which identified factors that may affect the effectiveness of hypertension treatment.
As a result of the study, a connection between uncontrolled hypertension and
- ✔ High levels of alcohol consumption
- ✔ Increased BMI
- ✔ Elevated blood glucose levels
- ✔ Increased urinary sodium excretion
- ✔ High ferritin levels
- ✔ Microalbuminuria(presence of protein in the urine)
The study found no significant increase in the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACD) or mortality in people with uncontrolled hypertension.
The main factors that increased the risk of developing uncontrolled hypertension were:
- ✔ Excess body weight
- ✔ Alcohol abuse
- ✔ Elevated ferritin levels
- ✔ Albuminuria (presence of protein in the urine, which may indicate kidney damage)
These data support the importance of lifestyle and metabolic control for effective blood pressure management.
Home blood pressure monitoring allows you to better understand your condition and respond to changes in a timely manner to adjust therapy. Blood pressure measurement tonometer from microlife in a familiar setting, without the stress associated with visiting a medical facility, provides more accurate and objective results.