Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a frequent disorder in which blood pressure is too high. The amount of blood your heart pumps and artery resistance determines your blood pressure.
High blood pressure makes the
heart work harder to pump blood. This can cause heart disease, stroke, renal
damage, and other health issues over time.
Two figures represent blood
pressure in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg):
Systolic pressure (the top
number) is blood pressure on artery walls when the heart beats. Diastolic
pressure (the bottom number) is blood pressure on artery walls between heartbeats.
Standard blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg. Blood pressure above 120-129
(systolic) and below 80 is high. When blood pressure persistently exceeds
130/80 mm Hg, hypertension is diagnosed.
Genetics, age, diet, lifestyle,
stress, and medical problems increase high blood pressure risk. Healthy food,
exercise, stress reduction, and blood pressure medication are routinely used to
treat hypertension. High blood Pressure must be monitored and managed to reduce
health risks. High Blood pressure causes
Several factors can cause
hypertension, including: Habits that are unhealthy: High blood pressure can
result from poor diet, salt intake, inactivity, and alcohol abuse.
Genetics and Family History: High
blood pressure may be inherited.
Age: Blood pressure rises with
age. This may be due to artery hardening or a lifetime of poor habits. Being
overweight or obese strains the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of
high blood pressure.
Smoking: Tobacco and smoking
damage blood vessels and raise blood pressure.
Stress: Stress doesn't cause high
blood pressure, although it might raise it temporarily. Stress can indirectly
increase blood pressure by causing unhealthy coping methods like overeating,
poor diet, and excessive alcohol use.
Chronic Kidney Disease: Fluid and
electrolyte imbalances from kidney disease can affect blood pressure.
Sleep Apnea: This sleep disorder
causes intermittent oxygen decreases, which raises blood pressure at night and
sometimes during the day.
Certain pharmaceuticals: NSAIDs,
decongestants, birth control pills, and some prescription pharmaceuticals can
raise blood pressure.
Diabetes, hormonal abnormalities,
and tumors can alter blood pressure.
Knowing the reasons of high blood
pressure helps treat it. Healthy eating, exercise, stress management, alcohol
restriction, and tobacco avoidance are essential to controlling and preventing
high blood pressure. Some medications may treat high blood pressure. Effective
management requires regular healthcare expert monitoring and advice.
High blood pressure effects
Uncontrolled hypertension can
harm your health. Possible high blood pressure complications include:
High blood pressure increases the
risk of coronary artery disease, which can cause heart attacks and angina. It can
also cause cardiac failure.
Stroke: Uncontrolled hypertension
damages brain blood arteries, increasing stroke risk. High blood pressure can
induce ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes.
Kidney Damage: High blood
pressure damages kidney blood channels, limiting waste filtration. This can
cause renal failure.
Vision issues: Hypertension can
damage eye blood vessels, producing vision issues or blindness.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD):
High blood pressure can cause atherosclerosis, which restricts blood flow to
the legs and feet, causing pain and movement issues.
Aneurysms: High blood vessel
pressure can damage artery walls, causing balloon-like bulges. Internal
bleeding and life-threatening consequences can result from rupture.
Cognitive Decline: Hypertension increases
the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.
Metabolic Syndrome: Obesity,
excessive blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol typically accompany high blood
pressure. This condition increases heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes
risk.
Men with hypertension may
experience erectile dysfunction due to diminished penile blood flow.
Complications of pregnancy
Uncontrolled hypertension during pregnancy can cause preeclampsia, which can
endanger the mother and fetus.
High blood pressure is called the
"silent killer" since it rarely causes symptoms. Preventing or
controlling these health issues requires regular blood pressure monitoring and
early intervention. Healthy eating, exercise, stress management, and medication
can control high blood pressure and lower these risks. High blood pressure
requires a customized treatment plan from a doctor.
High blood pressure control?
Lifestyle adjustments and
medicines can regulate hypertension. Controlling high blood pressure involves
numerous methods:
Healthy Diet: Eat fruits,
vegetables, entire grains, and lean proteins. Salt can raise blood pressure, so
limit it. The DASH diet is meant to decrease blood pressure.
Exercise regularly: Exercise
regularly. Try 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week or
as advised by your doctor. Exercise reduces blood pressure and strengthens the
heart.
Reducing weight lowers blood
pressure considerably. Even small weight loss can lower blood pressure.
Limit Alcohol and Quit Smoking:
Alcohol raises blood pressure. Quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke
are essential for blood pressure management.
Reduce Stress: Meditation, deep
breathing, yoga, and relaxing hobbies can help relieve stress.
Medication: If lifestyle
adjustments don't regulate blood pressure, your doctor may prescribe drugs.
These include diuretics, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers,
beta-blockers, and other blood pressure-lowering drugs.
Regular checkups and doctor
visits: Your doctor may recommend home blood pressure monitoring and checkups.
This aids progress monitoring and treatment plan changes.
The treatment plan and
recommendations of your doctor should be followed. Follow lifestyle adjustments
and medication instructions.
These metrics' efficacy varies by
person. Blood pressure regulation may require a combination of these methods
for certain people. Always consult a doctor to create a customized health plan.
They can advise on the best strategies to manage high blood pressure and
prevent health issues.
High blood pressure symptoms
Hypertension is called the
"silent killer" because it rarely causes symptoms. Even with
dangerously high blood pressure, most people have no symptoms. It's important
to check blood pressure periodically because it might go undiagnosed and cause
major health problems.
However, when blood pressure is
exceedingly high or creating difficulties, several symptoms may appear. They
may include: Serious headaches, especially back of the head. Feeling weary or
confused may indicate consequences from excessively high blood pressure.
Vision issues: Blurred or spots. Hypertensive
crises can cause chest discomfort.
If you have any of these
symptoms, especially severe or sudden ones, get medical assistance immediately.
These symptoms may indicate a hypertensive crisis, which requires immediate
care.
Regular blood pressure checks are
the only approach to accurately detect high blood pressure. Since high blood
pressure rarely has symptoms, continuous monitoring is vital for early
detection and therapy. If you have blood pressure concerns or are at risk due
to family history or other health factors, you should see a doctor regularly.