Blood pressure is the measure of the force that is applied by the blood against the walls of the arteries. Blood pressure is measured in two types:
- Systolic- This is the pressure applied on your heart when it pushes the blood out
- Diastolic – This is the pressure applied on your heart when your heart rests between beats
Arteries do the job of carrying the blood from your heart to other parts of the body, and changes in the values of blood pressure keep on happening during the day. When the blood pressure readings are high such as the systolic level is more than 140, and the diastolic level is more than 90, it is a situation of high blood pressure or hypertension.
Hypertension is a situation that affects the force of blood being pushed by your arteries wall is high, implying that your heart has to work harder to pump the blood. Blood pressure levels can be classified into three categories:
Elevated Blood Pressure– A condition in which the systolic number is 120-129, and the diastolic number is below, not above, 80 mm Hg
Stage 1 Hypertension– The systolic number ranges from 130 to 139, and the diastolic number is 80- 89.
Stage 2 Hypertension. In this condition, the systolic number is 140 or higher, and the diastolic is 90.
When the blood pressure exceeds 180/120 mm Hg, it is considered a hypertensive emergency, and medical consultation is needed immediately.
Untreated high blood pressure can increase the risk of other chronic and life-threatening illnesses such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, etc.
What are the common symptoms of hypertension?
Hypertension is known to be a silent killer, as most people with hypertension are unaware of the problem and have no warning signs or upcoming symptoms. Therefore, it is essential to monitor your blood pressure regularly.
The common symptoms of hypertension are as follows:
- Morning headaches
- Nosebleeds
- Irregular heart rhythms
- Vision changes
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Chest pain
- Muscle Tremors
- Blood spots in the eyes and Dizziness
People with a family history of heart disease or hypertension are at an increased risk of developing this condition.
What are the complications associated with high blood pressure?
The major complication of hypertension is that high blood pressure can cause severe damage to the heart as it puts excessive pressure on the arteries, further hardening them arteries, thereby decreasing the blood flow and oxygen flow to the heart. This, if untreated, can cause the following:
- Chest pain
- Heart attack and heart failure
- Irregular heartbeat, leading to death
- Stroke
- Kidney failure and damage
- Eye damage
How to manage high blood pressure?
Managing your blood pressure by adopting a healthy lifestyle and changing once diagnosed with hypertension is easy. Some of the ways to control hypertension are listed below:
Eating the right foods
Consuming foods lower in fat, salt, and calories, such as skimmed milk, fresh vegetables, fruits, vegetables & fruits, and whole-grain rice, further decrease the consumption of foods high in fat, such as butter, fatty meats, processed foods, and fast foods.
Reducing the consumption of salt
Increasing the usage of spices and herbs to make food tasty and with a decline in salt consumption or preparing food without salt is an excellent way to keep your blood pressure in check. Additionally, it is recommended not to add salt to the cooked meal when eating, as increased salt consumption can increase the level of sodium in the body.
When to see a doctor?
You must check your blood pressure regularly at home or visit your healthcare provider to monitor it. The frequency of checking the blood pressure is contingent on your overall health.
Doctors suggest checking the blood pressure every year starting at eighteen and increasing the frequency of checking the blood pressure as you grow above 40.
Blood pressure can be monitored at home with the help of digital blood pressure machines, which can also be bought from the pharmacy. You can visit your regular General Physician to get your blood pressure tested.
Disclaimer: This blog has been written after performing in-depth secondary research related to the topic from various articles, blogs, and journals with expertise in writing for healthcare. The content presented on this page should not be considered a substitute for medical expertise. We advise you to book an appointment with the doctor for any doubts about blood pressure levels and hypertension.
