In his statement, PAU Hospitals Head of the Department of Cardiology, Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Dursun Dursunoğlu shared the following information: “Hypertension is one of the most common chronic diseases both worldwide and in our country. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to many serious health problems such as heart failure, kidney failure, heart attack, rhythm disorders, stroke, brain hemorrhage, and damage to the retina, and it can even be life-threatening. Although hypertension may be caused by kidney diseases, hormonal disorders, sleep apnea, and some medications, the most common condition we see in adults is ‘essential hypertension,’ meaning high blood pressure with no identifiable cause. Although this condition cannot be completely eliminated, it can be successfully controlled with proper treatment and lifestyle changes. One of the biggest misconceptions in society is viewing hypertension as a disease that can only be controlled with medication. However, blood pressure control is largely related to a person’s own lifestyle habits. It is extremely important to engage in regular physical activity, make brisk walking or swimming for at least 30 minutes a day a part of life, avoid excessive salt consumption, maintain weight control, not smoke or consume alcohol, avoid processed and packaged especially salty foods, follow a healthy Mediterranean-type diet, and protect oneself from stress as much as possible. In addition, unnecessary use of painkillers should be avoided, blood pressure medications prescribed by a physician should be used regularly, and CPAP/BiPAP devices recommended for sleep apnea, if present, should be used without interruption.”

Prof. Dr. Dursun Dursunoğlu: “For your health, monitor your blood pressure, protect your life.”

Emphasizing the importance of regular follow-up and lifestyle discipline in controlling hypertension, Prof. Dr. Dursunoğlu said: “Blood pressure values at rest should be targeted to be below 140/90 mmHg, which is commonly known as below 14 for systolic and 9 for diastolic pressure. If your blood pressure is under control, there is no need to fear hypertension; however, regular follow-up and lifestyle discipline are essential. It should not be forgotten that controlling hypertension is not only the responsibility of the physician but primarily of the patient. The way to protect our health is through conscious living, regular check-ups, and not neglecting treatment.”