High blood pressure that is also known as hypertension in medical is a health condition that occurs because of the long-term force of the blood in contradiction to the artery walls. This blood force is high enough and so it causes various health issues specifically cardiovascular diseases.
The rate of blood pressure can be determined by calculating the amount of resistance of the blood flow into the arteries or by calculating the amount of blood that is produced by your heart. Your arteries get narrow if the heart pumps more blood. Hence, it may happen that you may not get any symptom for years while suffering from high blood pressure. It is not essential to get visible symptoms, but this disease may be detected without them by checking your blood pressure. It is important to treat this problem as early as possible as it may damage your blood vessels. If you don’t control your blood pressure, it may cause serious health risks, such as stroke and heart attack.
Before moving forward, you should know what normal blood pressure is. According to medical experts, 120/80 is the perfect reading of having normal blood pressure. It is read as 120 over 80. The bottom number is known as diastolic and the upper number is known as systolic. Following list consists the ranges:
- Normal Blood Pressure – equivalent to 120/80 (120 over 80)
- Elevated Blood Pressure – above 120/80
- High Blood Pressure (Stage 1) – 130-139/80-89
- High Blood Pressure (Stage 2) – 140/90+
- Hypertension Crisis (Most critical situation) – 180+/120+ (need to visit a doctor immediately)
Discuss your blood pressure routine with your doctor and he will let you know the ways to control it.
Symptoms
Most of the people don’t have symptoms and signs even if the level of blood becomes high. Hence, the symptoms that most people get because of hypertension include;
- Nosebleeds
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches
- Eyes swelling
- Redness of eyes
- Vision problems
- Fatigue
- Irregular heartbeat
- Pounding in the chest, ears, or neck, etc.
However, these symptoms and signs are not visible until and unless you will have high blood pressure to a threatening or severe level.
When To See A Doctor?
You should keep a check on your blood pressure as it is important. Both low and high blood pressure is not good. Every year, ask your doctor to keep reading of your blood pressure. Also, there is the requirement to check the blood pressure from both arms so that it can be known if there is any difference or not.
If you are already diagnosed with this ailment, then your doctor asks you to go for frequent readings. It may also be recommended if you have any cardiovascular disease. This measurement should be included in the yearly checkup of 3 years old and other children.
If it is not possible to visit your doctor regularly, then you can screen your blood pressure level by visiting nearby medical centers. Machines to measure blood pressure are also available on pharmacies.
Types
This ailment exists in two types.
1. Primary Hypertension
Usually, there is no cause of high pressure. This type of ailment occurs for different years.
2. Secondary hypertension
If you have high blood pressure because of any underlying issue, then it is secondary hypertension. It may appear instantly and create cardiovascular issues.
Causes
Exact causes that lead to high blood pressure may not be identified, but following is a list of the issues that play their part in the onset of this health problem.
- Obesity or overweight
- Using more salt in the diet
- Lack of physical activity
- Genetics
- Stress
- Aging
- More alcohol consumption
- Family history
Different medicines and conditions may cause secondary hypertension. They may include;
- Kidney issues
- Thyroid issues
- Adrenal gland tumors
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Smoking
- Use of illegal drugs including amphetamines & cocaine
- Medicines for birth control, decongestants, pain relievers, and cold remedies
Risk Factors
Various risk factors are associated with high blood pressure. Following is a list of these factors. You should have information in this regard so that you can take proper care of your health.
- Age – while you age, you should know that it may lead to different health issues and high blood pressure is one of them. According to statistics, hypertension is more common in men as compared to women until the age of 64. Usually, the woman gets affected by this illness after the age of 65.
- Race – Race is another risk factor that may lead to hypertension. This problem usually persists among Africans. They may get kidney failure, heart attack, and stroke.
- Family History – It may run in families. If any of your family members are suffering from hypertension, then you are more prone to having this disease.
- Obesity or Overweight – If you are overweight, it usually affects the supply of blood towards the arteries. The pressure of blood on the artery walls increases in this regard. So, obesity is one of the higher risks of getting this disease.
- More Use Of Sodium (Salt) – If you are a salt lover and you use more amount of salt in your diet, then you are at a risk to develop this disease.
- Using Tobacco – Don’t confuse as if just chewing tobacco and smoking cause immediate hypertension. But it works with the passage of time. Basically, the chemicals included in these things damage your artery walls. In this way, the risks of heart disease and high blood pressure increase. Secondhand smoking is also harmful. In fact, according to researches, secondhand smoking does more harm as compared to regular smoking.
- Physical Inactivity – You should be active to be healthy. If you are not a physically active person, then you should add such activities in your life that can give you a better lifestyle. Inactivity leads to higher heart rates. So, the more inactive you are, the more blood contradictions in the artery walls. Also, inactivity may make you overweight.
- Inducing more Alcohol – You may intake alcohol to a specific level. If you are using too much alcohol on a daily basis, it may make you suffer from hypertension.
- Stress – Another risk factor to having high blood pressure is stress. It may increase your blood pressure for a temporary basis. You should use different techniques to manage your stress level. In this way, you will be able to just not getting rid of the high blood pressure but also a number of other diseases.
- Eating More Fast Food – Be careful about your diet and add more fruits to it. Don’t prefer fast food over healthy food options. Eating more fast food can cause high blood pressure.
- Specific Chronic Conditions – Kidney disease, sleep apnea, and diabetes are some chronic health conditions that may work as the risk factor of increase of your blood pressure.
- Take Proper Potassium – Be sure to add enough amount of potassium in your diet. In this way, you can avoid the risk of suffering from hypertension.
Note: Sometimes, pregnancy can also disturb your blood pressure and cause high blood pressure.
Complications
If your blood pressure is not under control, then it may lead to various complications. Have a look at them!
- Blood clots
- Metabolic syndrome
- Stroke
- Kidney ailment
- Memory issues
- Distorted brain functioning
- Blurred vision
- Stroke
- Blood clots
- Aneurysm
- Torn, narrow, or thick blood vessels of the eyes
- Heart failure
- Dementia
Treatment Options
Following treatment options are helpful in treating hypertension (high blood pressure).
- Walk and exercise regularly
- Reduce your sodium intake
- Drink less alcohol
- Eat more potassium-rich foods
- Cut back on caffeine
- Learn to manage stress
- Eat dark chocolate or cocoa
- Lose weight
- Quit smoking
- Refined carbs & cut added sugar
- Eat berries
- Deep breathing and meditation
- Eat calcium-rich foods
- Eat foods rich in magnesium
- Take natural medicines
- Intake prescribed medicines
- Lifestyle changes
You should visit your doctor to get proper treatment. After a complete evaluation, he will prescribe you specific medicines.
