High blood pressure is a common condition that affects the arteries of the body. It is also called hypertension. In the case of high blood pressure, the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries is constantly very high, which makes the heart work harder to pump blood.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The condition is generally described as high blood pressure when the blood pressure reading is 80/130 mmHg or higher.
Types of blood pressure
The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association divide blood pressure into four general categories.
-
Normal blood pressure: if the blood pressure reading is less than 120/80 mmHg.
-
Mild high blood pressure: The upper number ranges between 120 and 129 mmHg and the lower number is less than, but not higher than, 80 mmHg.
-
Stage 1 hypertension: the upper number ranges between 130 and 139 mmHg, or the lower number ranges between 80 and 89 mmHg.
Stage 2 hypertension. The top number is 140 mmHg or higher, or the bottom number is 90 mmHg or higher.
Blood pressure exceeding 120/180 mmHg is described as a hypertensive crisis or emergency, and in this case, anyone with blood pressure readings reaching this point should seek emergency medical care.
If high blood pressure is not treated, it increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other serious health problems, so it is necessary to measure blood pressure at least once every two years, starting at the age of 18, and some people may require their blood pressure to be measured more frequently.
Following healthy lifestyle habits, such as not smoking, exercising, and eating a healthy diet, can help prevent and treat high blood pressure, but some people need to use medications to treat high blood pressure.
Symptoms of high blood pressure
Most people with high blood pressure do not show any symptoms, although it may reach high-risk levels. You may have had high blood pressure for years without showing any symptoms.
A few patients with high blood pressure may feel the following:
-
Headache
-
shortness of breath
-
Nosebleeds
However, these symptoms do not specifically indicate it, and they usually occur only when high blood pressure reaches a dangerous or life-threatening stage for the patient.
When do you visit the doctor?
Measuring blood pressure is an important procedure for maintaining your overall health. How often you should measure your blood pressure depends on your age and general health.
Ask your doctor to measure your blood pressure at least once every two years, starting at the age of 18. If you are 40 years old or older, or between 18 and 39 years old, and you are at risk of developing high blood pressure, ask your doctor to measure your blood pressure once every year.
Your doctor will likely recommend measuring your blood pressure more often if you have high blood pressure or have other risk factors that increase your risk of heart disease.
As for children aged 3 years and over, their blood pressure can be measured as part of their annual routine examination.
If you do not go to the doctor regularly, you can have your blood pressure measured for free at any health service showroom or other place around your community. Free blood pressure measuring devices are also available in some stores and pharmacies.
The accuracy of these devices depends on several factors, including the appropriate size of the blood pressure cuff and its correct use. Seek the advice of your doctor regarding the use of public blood pressure monitors.
Causes of high blood pressure
Blood pressure is determined by two factors: the amount of blood pumped by the heart and how difficult it is for blood to move through the arteries. The more blood the heart pumps and the narrower the arteries, the higher the blood pressure.
There are two main types of high blood pressure. Primary high blood pressure is also called essential hypertension. For most adults, there is no specific cause for high blood pressure. This type of high blood pressure is called primary hypertension or essential hypertension, and this condition usually appears Gradually over several years, the buildup of plaques in the arteries, called atherosclerosis, increases the risk of high blood pressure.
Secondary hypertension
This type of high blood pressure is caused by an underlying condition, often appears suddenly, and causes blood pressure to rise at a higher rate than essential hypertension. Diseases and medications that can lead to secondary hypertension include:
-
Adrenal tumors
-
The presence of problems in the heart vessels from birth, also called congenital heart defects.
-
Cough and cold medications, some painkillers, birth control pills, and other prescription medications.
-
Illicit drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines.
-
Kidney disease
-
Obstructive sleep apnea
-
Thyroid problems
Sometimes just having a medical exam can cause your blood pressure to increase. This condition is known as white coat syndrome.
Risk factors
There are several risk factors for developing high blood pressure, including:
the age: The risk of developing high blood pressure increases with age. High blood pressure is more common in men before the age of approximately 64 years. But women are more susceptible to high blood pressure after the age of 65.
Ethnicity: High blood pressure is especially common among black people, as they develop it at an earlier age than their white peers.
Family medical history: An individual is more likely to develop high blood pressure if one of his parents or siblings has it.
Obesity or overweight: Excess weight causes changes in blood vessels, kidneys and other parts of the body, and these changes often lead to high blood pressure. Furthermore, being overweight or obese also increases the likelihood of developing heart disease and associated risk factors, such as high cholesterol.
Lack of exercise: Lack of exercise can lead to weight gain, which increases the risk of high blood pressure. Also, heart rate usually increases in people who do not engage in physical activities.
Smoking: Smoking, chewing tobacco, or vaping raises blood pressure immediately and briefly. Smoking tobacco also damages the walls of blood vessels and accelerates the development of atherosclerosis. So if you are a smoker, ask your doctor about strategies to help you quit smoking.
Excessive salt intake: Excessive salt, or sodium, in the body can cause fluid retention, leading to high blood pressure.
Low potassium levels: Potassium helps balance the percentage of salts in the body’s cells. Hence, achieving the proper balance of potassium is important for heart health. Potassium levels may decrease as a result of a lack of potassium in the diet or certain health problems, including dehydration.
Excessive alcohol consumption: Alcohol abuse is linked to high blood pressure, especially in men.
Stress: High stress levels can temporarily raise blood pressure. Stress-related habits, such as eating a lot of food, using tobacco, or drinking alcohol, may also increase high blood pressure.
Certain chronic diseases: Diseases that can lead to high blood pressure include kidney disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea.
PregnancyPregnancy sometimes causes high blood pressure.
While high blood pressure is more common in adults, it can affect children as well. High blood pressure in children may be caused by kidney or heart problems, but for a growing number of children, high blood pressure is due to certain lifestyle habits, such as an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise.
Complications of high blood pressure
Excess pressure on the walls of the arteries due to high blood pressure can damage blood vessels and organs in the body. The higher the blood pressure and the longer it is uncontrolled, the greater the damage.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to complications including:
Heart attack or stroke: Hardening and thickening of the arteries caused by high blood pressure and a number of other factors may lead to a heart attack, stroke or other complications.
Aneurysm: High blood pressure can cause blood vessels to weaken and swell, leading to an aneurysm. If the aneurysm ruptures, it may become life-threatening.
Heart failure: When blood pressure is high, the heart is forced to work harder to pump blood. This leads to thickening of the walls of the heart’s blood pumping chamber. This condition is called left ventricular hypertrophy. Eventually, the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs, leading to heart failure.
Kidney problems: High blood pressure can cause the blood vessels in the kidneys to become narrow or weak, causing damage to the kidneys.
Eye problems: High blood pressure can cause blood vessels in the eyes to thicken, narrow or tear, leading to vision loss.
Metabolic syndrome: This syndrome is a group of disorders associated with metabolism within the body. In this disease, sugar, also referred to as glucose, is broken down irregularly. This syndrome includes an increased waist size, high triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein (or good) cholesterol, high blood pressure and blood sugar levels. These symptoms make you more susceptible to diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Changes in memory or comprehension: Untreated high blood pressure may affect your ability to think, remember and learn.
Dementia: Narrow or blocked arteries can restrict blood flow to the brain, and this can cause a type of dementia, called vascular dementia. A stroke that blocks blood flow to the brain may lead to vascular dementia.
2024-04-02 11:15:17
#High #blood #pressure #symptoms #risk #factors
