Understanding Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Hypertension is a chronic condition where the force of blood against the artery walls is consistently too high. Over time, this puts extra strain on your heart and blood vessels. Many factors can contribute to developing high blood pressure, including genetics, a diet high in salt, being overweight, lack of exercise, smoking, and chronic stress. Age also plays a role – hypertension becomes more common as people reach middle age and beyond.
Often called the “silent killer,” high blood pressure usually does not cause noticeable symptoms until significant damage has occurred. Without proper management, hypertension can lead to life-threatening complications such as heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, kidney damage, and vision loss. This is why regular check-ups and early intervention are critical, especially for adults in Dubai where fast-paced lifestyles and dietary habits may increase the risk of developing hypertension.
Understanding Lipid Disorders (High Cholesterol)
Lipid disorders refer to abnormalities in blood fat levels, most commonly high cholesterol. Cholesterol is a fatty substance that the body needs in small amounts, but an excess — particularly of the “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol — can build up in arteries. This buildup (often called plaque) narrows and hardens the blood vessels, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Triglycerides (another type of blood fat) can also be elevated, contributing to the problem.
High cholesterol often develops due to a combination of genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors. Eating a diet high in saturated and trans fats, being overweight, smoking, and lack of exercise all worsen cholesterol levels. Similar to hypertension, you won’t usually feel any symptoms from high cholesterol. Many adults in Dubai have elevated cholesterol without knowing it, only discovering it through routine blood tests. If unmanaged, high cholesterol significantly raises the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious conditions – especially when it is combined with uncontrolled high blood pressure.