High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) - Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention

Hypertension (high blood pressure) affects over a billion individuals around the world and is a leading cause of heart attack, stroke, and other health concerns, and it is a major cause of premature death. However, many are unaware of hypertension and this blog will help you to understand what hypertension is, In what ways does it develop, and what might be the root causes? and so.

Without further delay, let us get started!!

Hypertension (high blood pressure)

The body's major blood vessels naturally push the blood against the artery walls as it travels through the circulatory system, and this force increases to the point of hypertension when the blood pressure against the arterial wall is excessive. 

High blood pressure has far-reaching consequences throughout time. It can induce a heart attack, kidney failure, and even blindness due to the fragility of the eye's blood vessels.

For the most part, a blood pressure result of 130/80 mm is considered to be hypertension. The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology have defined blood pressure range into four different categories. In simple words, they are explained in the below table.

Approximately 1.28 billion adults (aged 30-79) globally have hypertension and are unaware that they have the condition.

Causes

The causes of hypertension have not been determined exactly but doctors have identified some possible contributors. They are 

• Obesity
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Increases salt intake
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Genetics
• Stress and
• Aging
• Pregnancy

Symptoms

Unfortunately, even when blood pressure levels are extremely high, most persons with hypertension will show no signs or symptoms and that’s why hypertension is called a ‘Silent Killer’. So, it is essential that blood pressure is measured regularly.

In rare cases, a few people may have

• Sweating
• Anxiety
• Sleeping problems
• Blushing
• Headaches and nosebleeds (A person may experience these symptoms when hypertension escalates into a crisis)

Uncontrolled high blood pressure might result in consequences like:

• Heart attack or stroke
• Aneurysm
• Heart failure
• Kidney problems
• Eye problems
• Metabolic syndrome
• Changes in memory or understanding
• Dementia 

And this burden of hypertension can be reduced by modifying our lifestyle, which includes:

• Eating more fruit and vegetables
• Lowering salt intake (to fewer than 5g daily)
• Regular exercise
• Quitting tobacco use
• Reducing alcohol consumption
• Reducing trans fats in the diet
• Managing stress by doing meditation
  

The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet is suggested for persons with high blood pressure by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the US (United States) and it is a flexible and healthy eating strategy that has a strong scientific foundation. According to NHLBI studies, the diet reduces hypertension and decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering blood fat levels. To avoid compilations you may consult a doctor.