What is hypertension?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is blood pressure that is higher than normal. Your blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day depending on what you do. High blood pressure is diagnosed when blood pressure readings are persistently above normal.

Blood pressure is influenced by the amount of blood your heart pumps as well as the level of resistance to blood flow in your arteries. The more blood your heart pumps and the smaller your arteries, the higher your blood pressure. A blood pressure reading is given in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Blood pressure is most commonly measured in the brachial artery of the arm and it is expressed as two numbers, The first (systolic) number represents the pressure in blood vessels when the heart contracts or beats. The second (diastolic) number represents the pressure in the vessels when the heart rests between beats.

Causes of hypertension

There are two types of high blood pressure.

Primary hypertension

When you have abnormally high blood pressure that isn’t caused by a medical disease, you have essential hypertension. Obesity, a family history of high blood pressure, and an unhealthy diet are all common causes of this type of high blood pressure. Medication and lifestyle modifications can help reverse the disease.

Secondary hypertension

Some people have high blood pressure as a result of a medical issue. Secondary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that appears suddenly and causes higher blood pressure than initial hypertension. Secondary hypertension can be caused by a variety of illnesses and drugs, including

Obstructive sleep apnea
Kidney disease
Adrenal gland tumors
Thyroid problems
Certain defects you’re born with (congenital) in blood vessels
Certain medications, such as birth control pills, cold remedies, decongestants, over-the-counter pain relievers and some prescription drugs
Illegal drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines

Risk factors of hypertension

High blood pressure is more common if you:

family history of hypertension, diabetes etc.
Are of African descent.
Are older than 55.
stress
Are overweight.
Don’t get enough exercise.
Eat foods high in sodium (salt).
Smoke or use tobacco products.
heavy drinker

What are common symptoms of hypertension?

Hypertension is known as a “silent killer.” Most hypertensive persons are unaware of their condition since there are no warning signs or symptoms. As a result, it is critical that blood pressure be checked on a regular basis.

In rare and severe cases, high blood pressure can cause:

sweating
anxiety
sleeping problems
blushing

What can happen if high blood pressure is not treated?

Untreated hypertension may lead to serious health problems including:

Stroke.
Heart attack.
Peripheral vascular disease.
Kidney disease/failure.
Complications during pregnancy.
Eye damage.
Vascular dementia.

How is high blood pressure diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will need to use a blood pressure cuff to check your blood pressure. your provider will usually check your blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure readings at two or more appointments, your provider may diagnose you with high blood pressure.

Can I prevent high blood pressure?

There are certain things you can do to help reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure. These include:

limit salt intake
keep a healthy weight
exercise regularly
eat healthy
Limit refined sugar

Hypertension Treatment and Management

life style modification such as’;

Eating a heart-healthy diet with less salt
Getting regular physical activity
Maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight if you’re overweight or obese
Limiting the amount of alcohol you drink

However, lifestyle adjustments aren’t always sufficient. If diet and exercise don’t work, your doctor may prescribe blood pressure medication.

Medication

Your doctor will prescribe high blood pressure medicine based on your blood pressure readings and overall health. Two or more blood pressure medications are generally more effective than one.