High Blood Pressure (HBP) is a very common medical condition that affects millions of people all around the world. While not always considered a "critical illness," it can eventually lead to serious health problems including stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure.
High Blood Pressure is a chronic and progressive condition. As such, it can be managed but not completely cured. If left untreated, it can gradually worsen, eventually becoming a serious and even life-threatening condition.
The good news is that High Blood Pressure can usually be managed with lifestyle habits such as eating healthy, being physically active, reducing stress, and avoiding tobacco products. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle and following the advice of your doctor, HBP may be regulated to a healthy level and kept under control.
In addition, certain medications may be prescribed to help manage HBP. All medications have the potential for side effects, so talk to your doctor to decide if treatment is the best option for you.
Overall, High Blood Pressure is not considered a critical illness, but it's important to recognize it can potentially lead to more serious health conditions if left untreated. Therefore, it's important to stay on top of your HBP and make any lifestyle or medication changes recommended by your doctor.
For more information about High Blood Pressure and to learn about how to reduce your risk, visit https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/index.htm.