The heart constantly pumps blood throughout the body to ensure proper function. When the force of the blood flowing through the vessels is too high on a continuous basis, it can cause damage to the arteries and organs. As a result, untreated high blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and aneurysm.
Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure is a common health issue that can have major consequences. It’s often called “the silent killer”, as it causes no obvious symptoms until the condition has progressed. The best way to determine whether you have hypertension is to visit a doctor for a reading, which uses two numbers separated by a slash to measure blood pressure.
The first number is systolic, which is a measurement of pressure within the arteries whenever your heart beats. There’s also a diastolic number, which measures arterial pressure between heart beats. After the reading, you’ll be placed into one of the following four categories:
As explained above, symptoms of hypertension don’t become noticeable until the condition has advanced to its more severe stages. In this case, you may experience the following symptoms:
These symptoms can be associated with many other health conditions, so immediate medical attention is required to determine the cause. Keep in mind that blood pressure above 180/120 is considered a health emergency, and some or all these symptoms may be present when blood pressure reaches that stage.
Many people who experience high blood pressure have no verifiable cause, which is known as primary hypertension. With secondary hypertension, an underlying health issue or condition is playing a role in the elevated pressure. This includes heart defects present from birth, thyroid dysfunction, kidney disease, and other health problems.
There are also a number of risk factors associated with hypertension, including:
Blood pressure can also naturally increase as a person ages. For instance, hypertension is more common in adults aged 64 and older.
Doctors use lab tests and diagnostic devices to determine blood pressure. From there, they can recommend certain medication to relieve pressure in the arteries, reduce heart rate, and relieve sodium and water levels in the body. It may be necessary to prescribe two or more medications for the best outcome.
It’s also possible for some people to reduce the effects of hypertension by making certain lifestyle changes. Eating a healthy, low salt diet can help a person maintain a reasonable weight. In this case, a new diet should be accompanied by a regular fitness regimen. Cutting out smoking and cutting back on alcohol can also have a positive effect.