Penzberg - Two doctors from Penzberg use the nationwide Heart Weeks for an urgent appeal: Beware of high blood pressure, they say - and advise you to take precautionary measures.
Penzberg - The heart weeks run nationwide under the motto "Heart under pressure" with various campaigns until the end of November.
Two doctors from Penzberg - Dr.
Florian Brändle, medical director of the clinic, and cardiologist Dr.
Martin Fleckenstein - direct an urgent appeal to those affected and at risk to keep a close eye on their body - and to pay attention to weight and movement.
About a third of all adults in Germany have high blood pressure, that is about 20 million people: The German Heart Foundation quotes the Robert Koch Institute.
It is said that high blood pressure is one of the most important risk factors for heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias or blockage of the leg vessels.
The foundation warns of the consequences of "untreated hypertension".
Definitely a widespread disease. "
Dr. Martin Fleckenstein on high blood pressure.
A warning that Medical Director Brändle and Fleckenstein, who works in the cardiological practice in the hospital there, can only emphasize. The physician Fleckenstein, with many years of experience as an internist and cardiologist, calls high blood pressure "definitely a widespread disease". The experts know that the reasons are usually overweight and lack of exercise. "Constant stress" can also have a negative effect. Genetic reasons are also brought up by him. The dangerous thing: Often, those affected would not even notice that they were suffering from high blood pressure. The classic symptoms such as headaches or dizziness are usually an exception. Fleckenstein therefore advises you to be active yourself. That means: Have your blood pressure measured or do this yourself with a device,always note the values and, if necessary, consult your family doctor immediately. Measuring once would not be enough. "This is just a snapshot," says chief physician Brändle. Rule of thumb: If the value is several times over 140/90, which Fleckenstein calls the “red area”, treatment should be sought immediately. According to the cardiologist, a value of 130/80 to 140/90 is in the "yellow area".
Info brochure
More on this topic in the brochure “High blood pressure - protecting the heart and blood vessels”.
These are available free of charge from the German Heart Foundation (phone 069/955128400, email to bestellung@herzstiftung.de under the keyword "Herz unter Druck" or at www.herzstiftung.de).
Not only the elderly affected
For head physician Brändle, the “first stage of treatment” can only be one thing: lose weight and move. Only when the positive effects of the changed way of life show up can one go back down with the medication. However, Fleckenstein emphasizes that high blood pressure does not only affect the elderly. “It sometimes starts at the age of 30,” the expert knows - the age group of 40 to 50 year olds is classic. The cardiologist warns that the consequential damage would catch up with those affected. This ranges from heart failure, problems with the eyes, kidneys and leg vessels to heart attacks and strokes. Increased blood lipids can also be a result, adds Medical Director Brändle. At the Penzberger Klinikum, high blood pressure patients are now part of everyday life: Brändle calculates that cases are admitted “almost every week”.Not infrequently with shortness of breath, dizziness and headache - which is a sign that the overloaded heart is working at its limit.