High Blood Pressure: An Explanation
High blood pressure, also known as systemic hypertension, is a common health condition that often goes unnoticed until complications arise. This silent killer, as it is sometimes called, can have serious implications for an individual's health.
What is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure occurs when the pressure of blood against the walls of the arteries is consistently too high. A disorder called primary aldosteronism is one cause, characterized by the overproduction of aldosterone by the adrenal glands. However, in most cases, the cause remains unknown, leading to the term primary or essential hypertension.
Symptoms and Complications
High blood pressure can sometimes cause headaches and vision changes due to damage to blood vessels in the eyes. Severe chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and a sense of impending doom may also be present.
If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to several serious health complications. Heart disease, including heart failure and myocardial infarction, is a major risk. Both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes are risks due to increased blood pressure. Chronic hypertension can also lead to renal failure and retinopathy, causing vision loss. Additionally, higher risks are associated with cognitive decline and dementia.
Stages of High Blood Pressure
Blood pressure levels are categorised into stages to help in understanding the severity of the condition. Stage 1 Hypertension is 130-139/80-89 mmHg, while Stage 2 Hypertension is 140 or higher/90 or higher. Elevated blood pressure is 120-129/Less than 80 mmHg. A hypertensive crisis, characterized by extremely high blood pressure, is higher than 180/Higher than 120.
Management of High Blood Pressure
Treating high blood pressure often involves a combination of lifestyle changes and medication, with the goal of lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of complications. Lifestyle changes that can help include eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a moderate weight, reducing stress, limiting alcohol consumption, and quitting smoking.
Resistant hypertension, a form of hypertension that cannot be controlled with medication and lifestyle changes, even with the use of three or more blood pressure-lowering medications and a diuretic, is a more challenging case. In such cases, further investigations may be necessary to identify any underlying conditions contributing to the high blood pressure.
Conditions that can cause Secondary Hypertension
If another condition causes a person's high blood pressure, medical professionals call it secondary hypertension. Conditions that can cause secondary hypertension include kidney problems, thyroid issues, and certain medications.
Conclusion
Regular monitoring and management are crucial to prevent the complications associated with high blood pressure. If you suspect you may have high blood pressure, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
- High blood pressure threatens cardiovascular health and can lead to chronic diseases such as heart disease, heart failure, and myocardial infarction.
- The symptoms of high blood pressure can include headaches, vision changes, and in severe cases, severe chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and a sense of impending doom.
- A healthy diet, regular exercise, stress management, and abstaining from smoking are important for maintaining health and wellness and for managing high blood pressure.
- If high blood pressure is caused by another condition, it is known as secondary hypertension and may be related to kidney problems, thyroid issues, or certain medications.
- Nutrition, fitness and exercise, and stress management are essential components of a holistic approach to managing high blood pressure and improving overall health.
