What is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
OVERVIEW
What is high blood pressure (Hypertension)?
Blood Pressure is the pressure or force with which your heart pumps blood in your body through blood vessels and the pressure exerted on the vessel wall. When you have a high Measurement of this pressure is called High Blood pressure – HYPERTENSION
Your blood pressure reading has two readings or numbers.
The top number is systolic blood pressure, which means the pressure when the heart contracts. The denominator number is diastolic blood pressure, which means the pressure when the heart is relaxing.
Below is the classification of Hypertension based on Blood Pressure:-
| Category | Blood Pressure |
| Normal | Under 130/80 mmHg |
| Stage I Hypertension (mild) | 130-139/OR diastolic between 80-89 mmHg |
| Stage 2 Hypertension (moderate) | 140/90 mmHg or higher |
| Hypertensive Crisis (get emergency care) | 180/120 mmHg or higher |
Different categories of high blood pressure?
High Blood pressure has two different types, which are as follows:-
- Primary (also called essential Hypertension) high blood pressure. It is due to aging and unhealthy habits on the person and a sedentary lifestyle. So it can be said it’s a lifestyle disease.
- Secondary Hypertension or high blood pressure.
- It is generally caused due to effect or complication of other chronic disease causes (for example, kidney or hormonal issues) or because you are reluctant to take medications and forget to take them.
What will happen if high blood pressure is not treated?
Mostly in many parts of the world, the patient only knows they have high blood pressure is the time when they have complications. These are:
- Stroke – Ischemic Or Haemorrhagic.
- Heart Attack
- PVD- Peripheral Vascular Disease
- Chronic Kidney Disease or Chronic Kidney Failure
- Pregnancy-related complications
- Eye damage
- Dementia due to vascular abnormality
Is there any effect of high blood pressure on pregnancy?
10% of all pregnancies have complications due to High blood pressure. Pregnancy-related Hypertension is classified into several different types and ranges from mild to severe.
How to check if you have high blood pressure?
Many people come to a doctor’s clinic or hospital during health check-ups and are found to have high BP; generally, they are not ready to accept it. The most common phrase they use is “I don’t have any problem,” “I don’t feel anything,” or I have no headaches in the Evening.”
The only way to know your BP is to measure it, not by symptoms. Because it doesn’t cause any symptoms and it’s called SILENT KILLER.
CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS
Risk factors for high blood pressure
- Hereditary -if your family members have high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, or Diabetes, gives you a higher risk of getting the same condition.
- People older than 55.
- Obesity or overweight.
- Who doesn’t exercise? Sedentary lifestyle
- People who consume high sodium content(salt) foods
- Smokers or tobacco chewers.
- Heavy drinkers ( for men is more than two drinks a day and for women, more than one drink daily)
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS
How to diagnose high blood pressure?
In many patients, symptoms of high blood pressure may be absent, so it only can be detected by your health provider, who typically checks your blood pressure at every annual check-up or at the time of appointment. If your blood pressure was measured & if it is high on more than two appointments, you might suffer from high blood pressure.
Standard tests are used to diagnose high blood pressure.
- Measure Blood pressure
- ECG
- 2D Echo
- Blood reports
MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT
What should be done in case you have high blood pressure?
Your Doctor will explain to you what your blood pressure should be and the recommendations.
- Check your blood pressure regularly at home. Electronic Blood pressure Measuring machines are readily available in most pharmacies or online.
- Eat Healthily
- No – Obesity. You may need to lose weight if you are overweight.
- NO Alcohol
- Be more physically active.
- Quit smoking or tobacco chewing
- Stress management.
What diet helps in controlling blood pressure?
- Eat low-carb diet, containing good fats and proper to-your-activity calories, and avoid junk and outside food.
- Restrict salt in your diet.
- Avoid foods high in fat, such as margarine, regular salad dressings, fried foods, processed foods, fast foods, and salted snacks.
Medicines are used to treat high blood pressure.
Talk to your healthcare provider about what medication is required for you. The treatment is always individualised. For example, some medications should be avoided during pregnancy. If you develop some side effects from your medications, you can consult your Doctor or provider to change or adjust your medication. Don’t ever stop taking medicine without Doctor’s advice
What can be done for the prevention of Hypertension?
There are many things which can help you to reduce the risk of High BP. These include eating right, doing the right amount of exercise & control salt intake.
How to reduce the risk?
- Eat right:
- Keep a healthy weight:
- Cut down on salt:
- Be active:
- No alcohol in moderation
Conclusion
What to do if anyone is diagnosed with this condition?
Hence most of the patients are asymptomatic before a diagnosis of high blood pressure, and they will not feel much difference after starting medication. However, you should trust your care provider and follow his advice to keep your blood pressure under control to avoid possible complications.
How long does it take to cure high blood pressure?
Unfortunately, primary high blood pressure is a chronic disease and requires management for the rest of your life.
If you have Hypertension, your blood pressure may come down after specific treatment for this medical problem that caused it.
What is the prognosis for high BP?
You can get severe complications if you don’t control your high blood pressure. Nevertheless, if you take medicines as advised by your Doctor, you can easily manage your BP. Regular Exercising and eating healthy foods will help lower your blood pressure.
How can one be more active?
- Check first with your Doctor regarding physical activity and workouts. You need to follow instructions given by your Doctor, who know all your comorbid conditions.
- Start with aerobic activities such as biking, walking, swimming, etc.
- Always start slowly and slowly increase your physical activity. The most important is to be regular in your workout. Each session should be 30-45 minimum.
What if lifestyle changes don’t make any difference in lowering blood pressure?
Failure to get results after lifestyle changes, like physical activity, medication, good sleep, and weight reduction, then your Doctor will prescribe some blood pressure-lowering medictaion which would be mandatory to take.
