When it comes to our health, it’s easy to ignore warning signs or assume that symptoms will go away on their own. However, there is one health issue that should never be ignored: high blood pressure, otherwise known as hypertension.

What is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure occurs when the force of blood against your artery walls is too high. This can cause damage to your blood vessels and lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

There are several factors that can contribute to high blood pressure, including:.

• Being overweight or obese
• Smoking
• Not getting enough physical activity
• Having a diet high in sodium
• Stress
• Age
• A family history of high blood pressure

What are the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure?

Unfortunately, high blood pressure often doesn’t have any symptoms. This is why it’s often referred to as the “silent killer.” The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked by a healthcare provider.

How is High Blood Pressure Diagnosed?

High blood pressure can be diagnosed by a healthcare provider using a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope. Your blood pressure reading will include two numbers: systolic pressure and diastolic pressure.

Systolic pressure is the top number and represents the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. Diastolic pressure is the bottom number and represents the pressure in your arteries when your heart is at rest between beats.

A normal blood pressure reading is typically around 120/80 mmHg.

Related Article Don’t ignore this basic health problem that can be fatal

How is High Blood Pressure Treated?

If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, your healthcare provider will likely recommend lifestyle changes and/or medication to help lower your blood pressure. Lifestyle changes may include:.

• Eating a healthy diet
• Reducing your sodium intake
• Getting regular physical activity
• Quitting smoking
• Limiting alcohol intake
• Managing stress

If lifestyle changes aren’t enough to lower your blood pressure, your healthcare provider may prescribe medication. There are several types of medication that can be used to treat high blood pressure, including:.

• Diuretics
• Beta-blockers
• ACE inhibitors
• Calcium channel blockers

What Happens if High Blood Pressure is Left Untreated?

If high blood pressure is left untreated, it can cause serious health problems, including:.

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Kidney failure
• Vision loss
• Peripheral artery disease (PAD)

High blood pressure can also lead to heart failure, which occurs when the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. This can cause fluid to build up in the lungs and other body tissues.

How Can High Blood Pressure be Prevented?

While there are several risk factors for high blood pressure that can’t be controlled, such as age and family history, there are also several things you can do to help prevent high blood pressure:.

• Eat a healthy diet
• Limit your sodium intake
• Get regular physical activity
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Avoid smoking
• Limit alcohol intake
• Manage stress

Conclusion

High blood pressure is a common health issue that can be deadly if left untreated. It’s important to know your blood pressure numbers and work with your healthcare provider to manage high blood pressure.

By making lifestyle changes and/or taking medication, you can lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of serious health problems.