Arterial hypertension is a public health problem, affecting around 45% of the population, and this percentage is continuously increasing.

Only about half of hypertensive patients know they have the disease, and among them, only 1 in 5 has their blood pressure properly controlled.

Arterial hypertension without a known cause, that is, essential hypertension (also called primary or idiopathic), represents approximately 90–95% of all hypertension cases.

The remaining 5–10% are forms of secondary hypertension, meaning caused by an identifiable cause (for example: kidney diseases, endocrine disorders, aortic coarctation, medications, sleep apnea, etc.).

Arterial hypertension (HTA) is often overdiagnosed (meaning people are diagnosed with HTA who actually do not have the disease), mainly due to measurement errors and the inappropriate context in which blood pressure is taken.

Main situations leading to overdiagnosis

1. White coat hypertension (the patient becomes anxious in the presence of the doctor):
   - affects between 15% and 25% of those labeled as hypertensive.
   - blood pressure is elevated only in the office, but normal at home or during 24-hour monitoring.
2. Incorrect measurements
   – if the patient is not at rest, if the cuff is too small, or if measured on only one arm, differences of 10–20 mmHg can occur.
   – in some studies, over 40% of office measurements do not meet standards.
3. Pseudo-resistant hypertension
   – patients treated for apparently “resistant” HTA, but high values are due to measurement errors, non-adherence to treatment, or the “white coat effect”.
   – may represent up to 30% of cases labeled as resistant HTA.

In addition to the treatment prescribed by the doctor, here are two measures that can help:

1. weight loss. This is an essential measure and is surely recommended by the doctor. The problem is that it is difficult to implement. That is why I recommend intermittent fasting, as it seems to me the most convenient method for losing weight.

   Weight loss is one of the most effective non-pharmacological measures to reduce blood pressure, sometimes with an effect comparable to that of an antihypertensive drug.

   Meta-analysis data show an almost linear relationship: for each kilogram lost, systolic blood pressure decreases on average by 1 mmHg
   (and diastolic by ~0.5 mmHg).

   For example, a person who loses 10 kg can have a decrease of 10/5 mmHg without any other intervention.

   For details regarding intermittent fasting, see the book "Lose Weight Without Counting Calories".
2. administration of olive leaf extract, 70 ml/day. Olive leaf extract contains substances that reduce blood pressure. If antihypertensive medications are administered, careful monitoring of blood pressure is necessary to avoid excessive lowering.