What is Hypertension?
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a condition where the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries is consistently too high. It is not a fixed value and varies from person to person, and even within the same individual at different times of the day. Blood pressure naturally fluctuates with factors like stress, excitement, relaxation, or sleep
What is Normal Blood Pressure?
- Normal blood pressure is typically around 120/80 mm Hg.
- Systolic Pressure (120) is the pressure when your heart beats and pumps blood.
- Diastolic Pressure (80) is the pressure when your heart is resting between beats.
Symptoms of Hypertension
Most people with high blood pressure do not exhibit any noticeable symptoms, even when their readings are dangerously high. However, very high blood pressure can cause:
- Headaches
- Vision problems
- Nausea and vomiting
- Palpitations
- Breathlessness
- Dizziness
Complications of Hypertension
Left untreated, hypertension can lead to serious health issues, including:
- Brain Stroke: Reduced blood supply to the brain can cause a stroke, leading to a rapid loss of brain function.
- Vision Loss: High blood pressure can damage blood vessels in the retina (hypertensive retinopathy), potentially causing vision loss.
- Heart Attack: Hypertension forces the heart to pump harder, leading to thickening of the heart muscle. Over time, this restricts blood flow, which may result in heart failure.
- Blood Vessel Damage: Atherosclerosis, the narrowing of arteries, is commonly caused by high blood pressure and can result in a heart attack or stroke.
- Kidney Failure: Damaged blood vessels in the kidneys prevent effective blood filtration, leading to a dangerous buildup of waste and fluid.
- Bone Loss: Hypertension may cause excessive calcium loss through urine, which can weaken bones, potentially leading to osteoporosis.
Risk Factors for Hypertension
Hypertension can be influenced by both modifiable and non-modifiable factors:
Modifiable Factors
- Lifestyle: Physical inactivity, excessive salt intake, smoking, and heavy alcohol consumption.
- Diet: High-fat or processed foods, and obesity.
- Drug-induced: Certain medications and sleep disorders.
Non-Modifiable Factors
- Family History: Genetic predisposition.
- Age: The risk increases with age.
- Gender: Men are at higher risk at younger ages, but the risk for women increases post-menopause.
Ways to Control Hypertension
Making healthy lifestyle changes is the most effective way to manage high blood pressure:
- Maintain Ideal Weight: Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight can help lower your blood pressure.
- Avoid Tobacco: Refrain from using tobacco or tobacco products.
- Eat a Healthy Diet: Focus on a balanced diet, with a reduced intake of salt and processed foods.
- Exercise Regularly: Regular physical activity can help reduce blood pressure.
- Limit Alcohol Intake: Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
- Monitor Your Blood Pressure: Regularly check your blood pressure, especially if you have a family history of hypertension or other risk factors.