HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (Hypertension)
Blood pressure is the measure of blood flowing through the blood vessels and the resistance the blood meets when pumping blood. Hypertension or High Blood Pressure occurs when consistently the blood pushing through the vessels is very high.
When arteries become narrow, there is a resistance inflow of blood which leads to higher blood pressure. This develops over a period of several years and may not always show symptoms but still affect your brain, eyes, kidneys, and heart.
Regular readings of blood pressure can help in early detection. With the help of medication and healthy lifestyle changes, hypertension can be treated. If the condition is not treated in time it can lead to stroke or even heart attack.
A healthy blood pressure reading is less than 120/80 mm Hg or millimeters of mercury.
There are four stages of Hypertension:
1. Elevated:
When systolic is between 120 and 129 mm Hg and Diastolic are less than 80 mm Hg. This can usually be rectified without medication and following a healthy regime.
2. Stage 1 Hypertension:
When Systolic is between 130 and 139 mm Hg or diastolic is between 80 and 89 mm Hg.
3. Stage 2 Hypertension:
Systolic is more than 140 mm Hg and Diastolic is more than 90 mm Hg.
4. Hypertensive Crisis:
When Systolic is over 180 mm Hg and Diastolic is over 120 mm Hg it requires immediate medical attention. When blood pressure is high, symptoms like chest pain, visual changes, headache and shortness of breath occurs.
Symptoms of Hypertension:
1. Flushing
2. Blood spots in eyes
3. Dizziness
4. Nosebleed and headache in case of severe hypertensive
Causes of Primary (Essential) Hypertension:
1. Genes: Abnormalities inherited by parents.
2. Age: Individuals over 65 years of age.
3. Race: Especially if one is Black non-Hispanic.
4. Obesity: It leads to hypertension and cardiac issues.
5. High alcohol consumption: More than two drinks a day for men and More than a drink for women daily, can lead to hypertension.
6. Leading a sedentary lifestyle: An inactive or work environment where a person spends maximum time sitting can lead to hypertension.
7. Diabetes and/or metabolic syndrome
8. High sodium intake: A max of 1.5-gram sodium a day is considered optimum, anything over it contributes to hypertension.
Causes of Secondary Hypertension:
1. Kidney disease
2. Obstructive sleep apnea: This is a breath-related disorder especially during sleep.
3. Congenital heart defects
4. Thyroid
5. Illegal drugs
6. Alcohol consumption
7. Problems in the adrenal gland
8. Some endocrine tumors
9. Medicine’s side effects
Secondary hypertension is usually more severe and occurs very quickly.