Biochemical and Physiological Mechanisms Underpinning Hypertension

This essay explores the biochemical and physiological mechanisms that underpin hypertension, including the effects of genetics and lifestyle factors. It discusses the symptoms and effects of high blood pressure, as well as practical recommendations for managing hypertension through healthy diet and regular exercise.

Biochemical and physiological
mechanism underpinning
hypertension

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Hypertension is a condition when blood pressure is too high. Hypertension (High Blood
Pressure) is a common state in which there is a long term force of blood against arterial blood
vessel walls is so high that it can be fatal and can eventually cause health problems, for instance
heart diseases. Blood pressure is both determined by quantity of blood that heart pumps and there
is resistance in amount of blood flowing in arteries. In this essay, biochemical and physiological
mechanism underpinning hypertension will be covered with incidences and prevalences of
hypertension. Causes of hypertension by reference to relevant biochemical and physiological
mechanisms will also be covered in this essay (Al Attar and et. al., 2022). This essay will also
comprise references and relevant authoritative guidelines and scientific literature and possible
role of both diet and exercise in management of hypertension. Role of both diet and exercise in
management of hypertension will also be mentioned in essay.
TASK 1
Hypertension, also known as raised blood pressure o high blood pressure which is a
condition in which blood vessels have consistently elevated blood pressure. Blood is carried
from heart to all different parts of body in blood vessels. Every time the heart beats, it pumps
blood into blood vessels and process goes on. As hypertension is a serious health disease
worldwide and operationally known as resting systolic/diastolic blood pressure greater than
140/90 mm Hg. High blood pressure or hypertension causes hardening and thickening of blood
vessels which is arteries and this condition is known as atherosclerosis (Chung and et. al., 2021).
As heart pressurises blood vessels to pump blood to rest of the body, it can lead to heart attacks,
related heart strokes, or other complications related to heart. Increased or raised blood pressure
can lead to blood vessels weakening and bulging, which ultimately leads to formation of
Aneurysm. Id an Aneurysm ruptures, then this condition can be life threatening for patient
(Oliveros and et. al., 2020). The common symptoms of high blood pressure or hypertension
includes fatigue, nausea, shortening in breaths, headaches, excessive sweating, heart palpitations,
light-headedness, related irregular heart beats and issuances related to visions, and confusion in
functioning. These symptoms may be serious for patient in cases and so should be provided with
proper medical attention and medical warrant prompt care. Biochemical testing involves serving
to identification in those who are hypertensive and also who are at higher risk on basis of
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evidence of dysglycaemia, renal impairment, or damage to any target organ and to exclude
acknowledgeable grounds of hypertension (Drummond and et. al., 2019). As hypertension occurs
due to narrowing of blood vessels which causes blood to exert more or excessive pressurised
blood against blood vessels or artery walls and this forces heart to work harder in pumping blood
and to maintain blood pressure. Cardiovascular control system mainly controls blood pressure
and related blood perfusion process involved. Some of the functioning involves the renin-
angiotensinsystem (RAS), and by some other local vascular mechanisms such as shear stress
induced with nitric oxide (NO) from endothelium. Hypertension condition leads to chronic
elevation of blood pressure which if is in long term, causes damage to end organs and yields in
inclined morbidity and mortality rates within the masses. Blood pressure is outcome of cardiac
end product and resistance to vascular systems (Rantanen and et. al., 2018).
The prevalence of hypertension is inclined in case of men than in women and related older
masses. So annual incidence rate in this population was approximately around 8% to 9% for first
4 years of research and leaded to 5% to 6% for the next 5 years of investigation in men and
women with age group of 45 to 83 years. Hypertension incidence rate was directly linked and
associated with age factors, and inversely to educational status within the age group. In UK, high
blood pressure or hypertension impacts more than 1 in 4 adults and around 12.5 million people
were affected by hypertension in 2015 (Frost and et. al., 2019). The prevalence rate was 31%
among men and 26% women in 2015. with a very little alteration over past few years (Shams
and et. al., 2022).
There are many biological processes and functions involved which are affected by
hypertension. Abnormalities or any dysregulation of other biochemical pathways mainly
contributes to development of high blood pressure in people. Stress related habits including
eating more, using of tobacco and any drinking alcohol habits can lead to further inclination in
blood pressure. There are certain chronic conditions that can lead to and may increase risks of
high blood pressure and other diseases with kidneys, diabetes and may also cause sleep apnoea.
Hypertension is related to an interaction between autonomic and the renin angiotensin system.
Hypertension is the outcome that outcomes from abnormalities of control system and their
incapabilities in controlling and regulating normal blood pressure. These systems are accountable
for achieving blood pressure homeostasis where they include vascular, cardio-genic, renal,
neurogenic and endocrine mechanism which is essential in interacting in a complex but unified
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manner of process achievement (Godos and et. al., 2019).. High blood pressure mainly damages
arteries by making them less elastic, this degrades the blood flow and oxygen to heart and then
leading to heart diseases. In addition, decreased flow of blood and pumping of blood can cause
chest pain, which is also known as angina.
Normal blood pressure refers to 120 mm Hg and diastolic is less than 80 mm Hg.
Elevated blood pressure refers to systolic range between 120-129 mm Hg and diastolic range
less than 80 mm Hg. Stage 1 hypertension refers to systolic blood pressure that ranges from 130
to 139 mm Hg or a diastolic pressure which ranges from 80-89 mm Hg. Stage 2 hypertension is
more severe the the stage 1, where systolic blood pressure is 140 mm h g or a higher diastolic
blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher. Hypertension is mainly diagnosed when there is a
consistent elevation in blood pressure in comparison to normal blood pressure that is 130/90 mm
Hg (Tain and Hsu, 2022). Nevertheless, there are majority of patients who do not qualify for
immediate drug therapy who have hypertension value ranging between 130-139/80-89 mm Hg
(stage 1). So the guidelines is amended again by breaking new grounds with it's related
recommendations (Hill and Thayer, 2019). The release of major set of guidelines for
hypertension that are globally accepted have come from authoritative group which is
commissioned jointly by the European Society of Cardiology and European Society of
Hypertension (ESH/ESC guidelines) to aid people with improving results with hypertensive
people and people living in their related community. This has influenced people in taking care of
themselves with extra attention and taking advantages of health care professional and therapies
related to treatment of hypertension (Umemura and et. al., 2019).
The causes of hypertension is generally not known. In many cases, this is the outcome of
an inherent condition. High blood pressure or hypertension which do not occur due to other
conditions or any disease is referred to as primary or essential hypertension. If an inherent
condition is a measure cause for hypertension or inclined blood pressure, the professional and
doctors calls refers it a secondary hypertension. There are multiple which causes primary
hypertension and they include: having obesity, related inulin resistance, high salt intake is also a
major factor, having a sedentary lifestyles also affects hypertension health issues, smoking etc.
Secondary hypertension has their certain an specific causes and it is a complication which is
related to other health issues (Valenzuela and et. al., 2021). Environmental risk factor such as
intake of sodium and potassium will make harder for the kidneys to remove fluids from body,
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which ultimately builds up in system and inclines the blood pressure level or is responsible for
hypertension. The level of high potassium and sodium intake can affect blood pressure and can
cause hypertension (Judy and et. al., 2019). Chronic kidney disease (CKD) refers to as a
common factor that causes high blood pressure or hypertension, it id because the kidney is
unable to process and filter out fluids. This excess fluid in kidney leads to hypertension or high
blood pressure. High blood pressure can also cause CKD. There are other factors or conditions
that lead to hypertension and they include: diabetes, Cushing's syndrome, pregnancies,
hyperthyroidism etc.
TASK 2
Authoritative guidelines are for improving healthcare system in hypertension an this
brings alterations in lifestyles of one having issues with high blood pressure (Kurtz and et. al.,
2019). There are crucial and measure plans mentioned with references to conquer hypertension.
Lifestyle aspect alteration plays an impacting and crucial role in hypertension management.
Dietary modifications are crucial mainstay in combating and preventing the initial aspects in
treating hypertension. Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) is a study which
showed that diet which are low in sodium (limited to 65 to 100 mmol/day) and high in fruits and
green leafy vegetables with loads of calcium intake is very helpful in treatment of of high blood
pressure. Other recommendations includes following of diet which is low in saturated fats and
cholesterol. Exercise is critically very crucial part of one's lifestyle. So special measure should be
taken in degrading the effects of hypertension and they are comprised of regular exercise
(Konstantinidi and Koutelidakis, 2019). Exercise is critically an important activity that should be
done daily to enhance body fluid circulation which leads to healthy life living activities and body
functions in children and young adults. In case of hypertension, exercising plays a major role.
Exercise aids patients with enhanced sympathetic nervous system related activities. Patients who
are hypertension often feels stressed out and this stress leads to elevation in their blood pressure.
Well established modifications in diet leads in lowering of blood pressure and they include
reduced salt intake, related weight loss, and level of alcohol consumption in those who drinks.
Maintenance of normal body weight and regular exercise will keep body fit and this fosters
patients in rendering high blood pressure. Adherence to these habits leads to easy recollection of
health and sound body operations (Kreutz and et. al., 2020).
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Effect of diet and exercise on high blood pressure has majorly demonstrated that a low fat
diet with fruits and vegetables and a low fat dietary food products can degrade or reduce blood
pressure in both hypertension including normal or normotensive individuals (Villarreal‐Zegarra
and Bernabe‐Ortiz, 2020). Moreover, exercise has been shown as the major and key aspect in
lowering blood pressure in hypertensive individuals. Diet and exercise are well established forms
of treatments for hypertension or high blood pressure. Effective lifestyle and their related
modification aids in lowering blood pressure by at least as much as a single antihypertensive
drugs aids in doing the same. Physical activities aids in keeping an individual healthy by
management in body weight and lowering blood pressure (Liu and et. al., 2020).
There are major intervention measures which fosters in reducing hypertension in people
and these people needs essential practical recommendations. These recommendations includes
Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) which is ranked first, aids in fostering aerobic
exercise, training of isometric, intake of low sodium and high potassium salt, and salt restrictions
in patients who are diagnosed with high blood pressure, breathing control and daily practice of
meditations are associated and linked with effective and efficient treatment for hypertension and
ultimately in reduction of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in hypertensive
patients (Mills and et. al., 2020). Quitting to smoking habits can render the hypertensive factors
and aid in fostering to quality health and sound life living. Adherence to medications is one
another factor that can lead to fostering in processes involved in reducing affects of high blood
pressure in children and other adults. Medications are basically keys to therapies which fosters
health and this advantages human health in letting them live a good lifestyle. These practical
recommendations to hypertension aids in rendering high blood pressure or hypertension in
masses.
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CONCLUSION
From the above discussion, it can be conferred that hypertension is a condition in which
long term force of blood against the artery wall is high enough and leading to blood perfusion.
Usually high blood pressure or hypertension is blood pressure having systolic and diastolic blood
pressure ranging between 140/90 and is severe when blood pressure ranges between 180/120.
There are other biological and physiological mechanisms underpinning hypertension. Effects that
are associated with hypertension includes both genetic and lifestyle factors that needs to be kept
in mind to render effects of high blood pressure. Healthy dietary habits and related planning with
regular exercising aids in hypertension. There are several symptoms and effects of high blood
pressure. Authoritative guidelines aids in rendering hypertension. Various practical
recommendations to individuals who are having hypertension includes healthy diet and regular
physical exercise.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Al Attar, A.A., Fahed, G.I., Hoballah, M.M., Pedersen, S., El-Yazbi, A.F., Nasser, S.A., Bitto,
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restriction on hypertension. Biochemical Pharmacology, p.115035.
Chung, H.F., Ferreira, I. and Mishra, G.D., 2021. The association between menstrual symptoms
and hypertension among young women: A prospective longitudinal study. Maturitas, 143,
pp.17-24.
Drummond, G.R., Vinh, A., Guzik, T.J. and Sobey, C.G., 2019. Immune mechanisms of
hypertension. Nature Reviews Immunology, 19(8), pp.517-532.
Frost, A., Badesch, D., Gibbs, J.S.R., Gopalan, D., Khanna, D., Manes, A., Oudiz, R., Satoh, T.,
Torres, F. and Torbicki, A., 2019. Diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension. European
Respiratory Journal, 53(1).
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Hill, L.K. and Thayer, J.F., 2019. The autonomic nervous system and hypertension: ethnic
differences and psychosocial factors. Current cardiology reports, 21(3), pp.1-9.
Judy, A.E., McCain, C.L., Lawton, E.S., Morton, C.H., Main, E.K. and Druzin, M.L., 2019.
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& Gynecology, 133(6), pp.1151-1159.
Konstantinidi, M. and Koutelidakis, A.E., 2019. Functional foods and bioactive compounds: A
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Kurtz, T.W., DiCarlo, S.E., Pravenec, M. and Morris, R.C., 2019. Changing views on the
common physiologic abnormality that mediates salt sensitivity and initiation of salt-
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Liu, Y., Huang, F., Xu, J., Yang, P., Qin, Y., Cao, M., Wang, Z., Li, X., Zhang, S., Ye, L. and
Lv, J., 2020. Anti-hypertensive Angiotensin II receptor blockers associated to mitigation
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Mills, K.T., Stefanescu, A. and He, J., 2020. The global epidemiology of hypertension. Nature
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Oliveros, E., Patel, H., Kyung, S., Fugar, S., Goldberg, A., Madan, N. and Williams, K.A., 2020.
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cardiology, 43(2), pp.99-107.
Rantanen, A.T., Korkeila, J.J.A., Löyttyniemi, E.S., Saxén, U.K.M. and Korhonen, P.E., 2018.
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Shams, E., Kamalumpundi, V., Peterson, J., Gismondi, R.A., Oigman, W. and de Gusmão
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Tain, Y.L. and Hsu, C.N., 2022. Oxidative Stress-Induced Hypertension of Developmental
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