High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a serious medical condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is a leading cause of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and other health complications.
If left untreated, high blood pressure can have life-threatening consequences. This article will discuss what high blood pressure is, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
What is High Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps it around your body.
It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and is represented by two numbers: systolic pressure (the top number), which indicates the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats, and diastolic pressure (the bottom number), which indicates the pressure in your arteries when your heart is resting between beats.
High blood pressure is when the force of your blood against your artery walls is too high. According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure is a reading of 130/80 mmHg or higher.
Causes of High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can develop gradually over many years and often has no identifiable cause. However, certain factors can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure, including:.
- Family history of high blood pressure
- Age – The older you get, the higher your risk of developing high blood pressure
- Being overweight or obese
- Lack of physical activity
- Too much salt (sodium) in your diet
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke
- Stress
- Chronic conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea
- Certain medications such as birth control pills, cold remedies, decongestants, and pain relievers
Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
Most people with high blood pressure have no signs or symptoms, which is why it’s often called “the silent killer.” The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked regularly.
However, if your blood pressure is extremely high, you may experience headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, confusion, vision changes, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or irregular heartbeat. In this case, you should seek immediate medical attention.
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Diagnosis of High Blood Pressure
Your doctor can diagnose high blood pressure by taking your blood pressure using a manual or digital blood pressure monitor. The test is quick and painless, and it’s usually done during a routine visit to your doctor.
You may be asked to wear a blood pressure monitor at home to monitor your blood pressure over a period of time. Your doctor may also order some tests to check for other health conditions that may be related to your high blood pressure, such as diabetes, kidney disease, or sleep apnea.
Treatment of High Blood Pressure
The goal of treatment for high blood pressure is to lower it to a normal range and avoid further health complications. The treatment may involve lifestyle changes, medication, or a combination of both.
Lifestyle changes that may help with high blood pressure include:.
- Eating a healthy diet low in salt, saturated and trans fats, and cholesterol.
- Exercising regularly for at least 30 minutes a day, most days of the week.
- Maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight if you’re overweight or obese.
- Reducing alcohol consumption and quitting smoking if you’re a smoker.
- Reducing stress through relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga.
If lifestyle changes alone are not enough to lower your blood pressure, your doctor may prescribe medication. There are several classes of drugs that may be used to treat high blood pressure, including:.
- Diuretics – also known as water pills, increase the amount of urine you produce, which helps lower blood pressure.
- Beta-blockers – reduce the workload on your heart by slowing down your heart rate and reducing the force of your heart’s contractions.
- ACE inhibitors – relax and widen your blood vessels, making it easier for blood to flow through them, which lowers blood pressure.
- Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) – work in a similar way to ACE inhibitors by blocking the action of a hormone called angiotensin II, which can cause blood vessels to narrow.
- Calcium channel blockers – relax and widen your blood vessels, making it easier for blood to flow through them, which lowers blood pressure.
- Renin inhibitors – lower blood pressure by blocking the action of renin, an enzyme that produces a hormone called angiotensin II, which can cause blood vessels to narrow.
- Alpha-blockers – reduce your blood pressure by blocking the action of nerve impulses that cause your blood vessels to narrow.
Prevention of High Blood Pressure
Preventing high blood pressure involves adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol intake, avoiding tobacco use, and managing stress.
Some additional tips to keep your blood pressure in check include:.
