This is a very common question that most peoples ask what exactly is high blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force exerted by your blood as it passes through your arteries. Arteries are blood arteries that transport blood from the heart to the rest of the body. When your heart beats, blood is pushed through your arteries. The flow of blood puts pressure on the arterial walls. This is referred to as blood pressure.
When your blood flows through your arteries at a greater pressure than normal, you have high blood pressure (also known as hypertension). High blood pressure can be caused by a variety of factors. If your blood pressure becomes too high or remains too high for an extended period of time, it might lead to health complications. High blood pressure that is uncontrolled increases your risk of stroke, heart disease, heart attack, and kidney failure.
There are two forms of hypertension.
Primary Hypertension
This is often referred to as essential hypertension. When there is no recognised cause for your high blood pressure, it is referred to as this. This is the most prevalent kind of high blood pressure. This sort of blood pressure normally develops over time. It is most likely due to your lifestyle, environment, and how your body develops as you age.
Secondary Hypertension
This is when your high blood pressure is caused by a medical condition or medication. Secondary hypertension can be caused by the following factors:
Kidney issues
Apnea when sleeping.
Thyroid or adrenal gland issues
Some medications.
What are the signs and symptoms of hypertension?
Most persons with high blood pressure have no symptoms. This is why it is sometimes referred to as “the quiet killer.” It is critical to have your blood pressure tested on a regular basis.
High blood pressure can cause headaches, nosebleeds, and shortness of breath in certain people. However, those symptoms can be mistaken for a variety of different conditions (serious or non-serious). Typically, these symptoms appear after blood pressure has risen to a dangerously high level over time.
What factors contribute to high blood pressure?
High blood pressure can be caused by food, medicine, lifestyle, age, and heredity. Your doctor can assist you in determining what is affecting yours. High blood pressure is commonly caused by the following factors:
A high salt, fat, and/or cholesterol diet.
Chronic diseases include renal and hormone issues, diabetes, and excessive cholesterol.
A family history of high blood pressure, especially if your parents or other near relatives have it.
insufficient physical activity
advancing years (the older you are, the more likely you are to have high blood pressure).
Obesity or being overweight
The race (non-Hispanic black people are more likely to have high blood pressure than people of other races).
Some birth control pills and other medications.
Stress.
Tobacco usage or excessive alcohol consumption
How is hypertension diagnosed?
A blood pressure monitor is used to identify high blood pressure. This is a standard procedure for all medical appointments. A band (cuff) will be wrapped around your arm by a nurse. A tiny pump and a metre are connected to the band. He or she will apply pressure to the pump. It will be snug around your arm. Then he or she will come to a halt and observe the metre. This gives the nurse two figures that comprise your blood pressure. The top number represents your systolic reading (the peak blood pressure when your heart is squeezing blood out). The bottom number represents your diastolic pressure (the pressure in your heart when it is filled with blood). A doctor or nurse may also mention that your blood pressure is “120 over 80.”
Blood pressure should be less than 120 on top and less than 80 on bottom.
Prehypertension values range from 120-139 on the upper end to 80-89 on the lower end.
Stage 1 high blood pressure is defined as 140-159 on top and 90-99 on the bottom.
Stage 2 high blood pressure is defined as 160 or higher on top and 100 or higher on the bottom.
The greater your blood pressure, the more frequently you should get it tested. After the age of 18, get your blood pressure tested every two years. If you have a history of high blood pressure, do it more frequently.
Is it possible to prevent or avoid high blood pressure?
If your high blood pressure is caused by lifestyle factors, you can minimise your risk by doing the following:
Reduce your weight.
Quit smoking.
Eat correctly.
Exercise.
Reduce your salt consumption.
Reduce your alcohol intake.
Learn relaxing techniques.
Consult your doctor if your high blood pressure is caused by an illness or medication you are taking. He or she may be able to prescribe another medication. Furthermore, addressing any underlying condition (such as diabetes management) can aid in the reduction of high blood pressure.
Treatment for high blood pressure
The greatest strategy to control blood pressure starts with lifestyle modifications that can help lower your blood pressure and minimise your risk of heart disease. In addition, your doctor may prescribe blood pressure medication. These are known as antihypertensive medications.
The objective of therapy is to get your blood pressure back to normal. Your doctor may prescribe medication that is simple to administer and has minimal, if any, adverse effects. This procedure is really effective. If you can only regulate your blood pressure with medication, you’ll have to take it for the rest of your life. It is usual to require many medications to help regulate your blood pressure. Do not stop taking the medication without first consulting your doctor. Otherwise, you run the danger of suffering a stroke or heart attack.
Having high blood pressure
High blood pressure management is a lifetime effort. You will always need to keep track of your weight, eat healthily, exercise, learn to handle with stress, avoid smoking, and limit your alcohol use. If you require medication to regulate your high blood pressure, you will most certainly require it for the rest of your life.
You will also need to get used to having your blood pressure checked on a frequent basis. Your doctor may require you to visit the office on a frequent basis. Alternatively, you may be requested to monitor your blood pressure at home and record your results for your doctor. Blood pressure machines are available in several pharmacies and retail clinics. You may get your own automated arm blood pressure cuff for home usage. Your doctor may recommend that you check your blood pressure multiple times each day. Another approach is to wear an ambulatory (wear while moving) blood pressure monitor.
