What is Hypertension?
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a common condition in which the blood's long-term push against the artery walls is high enough to cause health problems. Blood pressure exceeding 140/90 is considered hypertension, while BP above 180/120 is regarded as severe hypertension. Hypertension usually develops over a long period. Typically, you are not aware of any symptoms. High blood pressure can harm your blood vessels and organs, including the brain, heart, eyes, and kidneys, even if you don't have any symptoms.
What Causes Hypertension?
So, there are two types of hypertension:
First is primary hypertension, for which there is no identifiable cause. This type develops gradually over time.
Another type is secondary hypertension. Some people have hypertension due to an underlying disorder. This kind tends to appear suddenly compared to primary hypertension—conditions like thyroid problems, obstructive sleep apnea, kidney diseases, etc., lead to secondary hypertension.
What are the Risk Factors?
High blood pressure has multiple risk factors, including:
-
Age: Your odds of acquiring high blood pressure grow as you get older. Until the age of 64, men are more likely than women to develop high blood pressure. Women above the age of 65 are more likely to develop high blood pressure.
-
Family history: High blood pressure is a condition that tends to run in families.
-
Being overweight or obese: The more you weigh, the more blood you need to supply oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. As the volume of blood flowing through your blood arteries increases, so does the pressure on the artery walls.
-
Too much salt (sodium) in your diet: If you overeat sodium, your body will retain fluid, which will raise your blood pressure.
-
Stress: Blood pressure may temporarily rise as a result of high-stress levels. Overeating, smoking, and drinking alcohol are all stress-related behaviors that can raise blood pressure even more.
What are the Treatment Options for Hypertension?
Your doctor uses several factors to identify the best treatment option for you. The type of hypertension you have and the identified causes are two of the considerations.
If your doctor diagnoses you with primary hypertension, you may be able to lower your blood pressure by making lifestyle adjustments. Your doctor may prescribe medicine if lifestyle modifications alone aren't enough or if they're no longer helpful.
If your doctor discovers another condition causing your hypertension, treatment will be tailored to that condition. If a medicine you've started taking is causing you to have high blood pressure, your doctor will try other medications to see if they have the same impact.
Despite treatment for the underlying cause, hypertension can sometimes remain. Your doctor may work with you to establish lifestyle changes and prescribe drugs to help you lower your blood pressure in this scenario
Some Tips for Prevention of Hypertension:
-
Eating a healthy diet: Limit the amount of sodium (salt) you consume and increase the amount of potassium in your diet to help manage your blood pressure.
-
Getting regular exercise:Exercise can aid in the maintenance of a healthy weight and the reduction of blood pressure. It would be best if you strived to receive at least two and a half hours of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week, or 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week.
-
Maintaining a healthy weight: Obesity, or being overweight, raises your chances of high blood pressure. Maintaining a healthy weight can aid in managing high blood pressure and the prevention of other health concerns.
-
Limiting alcohol: Too much alcohol might cause your blood pressure to rise. It also adds more calories, potentially leading to weight gain. Men should limit themselves to two drinks each day, while women should limit themselves to one.
-
Not smoking: Cigarette smoking elevates blood pressure and increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. Don't start smoking if you don't already. If you smoke, speak with your health care physician about the best method to quit.
-
Managing stress: Learning to relax and manage stress can help you feel better emotionally and physically and lower your blood pressure. Exercising, listening to music, focusing on something calm or serene, and meditating are all practical stress management approaches.
So, if you come to know you have high blood pressure, the most crucial thing to do is accept it. Hypertension is a chronic condition that does not go away on its own. Remember, treatment plans for hypertension are constantly changing. What worked in the beginning, may become obsolete over time. Your doctor will continue to modify your treatment with you.
Your commitment is the first step toward excellent blood pressure control.
