Causes of High Blood Pressure & Treatment :
Introduction :
There are millions of people around the world who are affected by high blood pressure, which is also known as hypertension. It is often referred to as the Silent Killer” since it typically has no symptoms but if left untreated can lead to serious health issues. This blog post will provide and overview of the causes and risk factors of high blood pressure, as well as how you can manage and prevent it.
What is high blood pressure:
The force exerted by blood circulating throughout the body against the walls of the major blood vessels in the body is known as blood pressure, and high blood pressure is caused by the consistency of that force being too high. As a result, it is recorded with two numbers blood pressure range: systolic pressure (the pressure in the heart when it beats) and diastolic pressure (the pressure in the heart when it rests between beats). It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
When a blood pressure reading is consistently higher than 130/80 mm Hg. it is usually considered hypertension. The average normal blood pressure for people is 120/80 mm Hg.
Types of high blood pressure:
A person with high blood pressure can have a variety of causes, and in many cases, they will not be able to identify the cause until the condition has progressed. There are two types of high blood pressure:
1. Primary (Essential) Hypertension:
Primary hypertension is the most common type of high blood pressure, developing gradually over many years without a specific identifiable cause.
Blood pressure by genetics : Several factors can contribute to primary hypertension, including genetic factors. If your parents or close relatives suffer from hypertension, you are more likely to develop hypertension as well.
Blood pressure by Age : With age there is a greater chance of developing high blood pressure.
Life style factors: A poor diet, a lack of physical activity, and excessive alcohol consumption are all contributing factors to the development of primary hypertension.
2. Secondary Hypertension:
A sudden change in blood pressure is a symptom that indicates that there is an underlying condition causing the high blood pressure.
Kidney Disease : A chronic kidney disease, for example, can lead to hypertension if the condition is not treated.
Hormonal Disorders : It is possible for blood pressure to increase as a result of medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism or adrenal gland tumors.
Medications: In addition to prescription medications, there are sometimes over the counter pain relievers and birth control pills that can raise blood pressure.
Sleep Apnea : It has been established that hypertension is associated with the condition of obstructive sleep apnea, which causes frequent pauses in breathing during sleep.
Substance Abuse : There are drugs like cocaine and amphetamines that can cause high blood pressure in some people.
Risk factors of high blood pressure:
Risks of high blood pressure are several factors that can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure, including:
Hyper tension by Family history : There is a significant genetic component to the likelihood of developing hypertension..
Hyper tension by age: A person’s risk of hypertension increases as the age, particularly after 60.
Gender : A high blood pressure diagnosis is more likely to occur in men before the age of 55, while it is more likely to occur in women after that age.
Race : People of African descent have a higher risk of developing hypertension than people of other races.
Life style factors: There are several risk factors for heart disease, including poor diet, physical inactivity, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking.
Stress: It is possible for chronic stress to contribute to the development of high blood pressure.
Symptoms and complications
High blood pressure symptoms or hypertension symptoms : Since high blood pressure usually does not have any noticeable symptoms until significant damage has been done, it is often called a “silent killer”
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Nosebleeds
- Flushing
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
Leaving high blood pressure untreated can lead to serious health complications:
Causes of high blood pressure :
Heart Disease : The risk of coronary artery disease, heat attacks, and heart failure is greatly increased by hypertension.
Stroke : Strokes are caused by damaged and weakening blood vessels in the brain caused by high blood pressure.
Kidney damage : Hypertension can damage the kidney’s blood vessels and cause kidney failure.
Vision loss : High blood pressure causes damage to the blood vessels in the eyes, resulting in vision problems or blindness.
Aneurysms : A increase in pressure can weaken and bulge blood vessels, causing aneurysms that can rupture and cause a life threatening bleeding problem.
Prevention and Management:
There are several effective prevention of hypertension and hypertension management including lifestyle changes and medication.
Here are natural ways to lower high blood pressure
1. High blood pressure diet :A low-fat dairy product and fruits and vegetables are the goal of the DASH diet )Dietary Approaches to stop Hypertension) .
The intake of salt(sodium) needs to be reduced, because excess salt may lead to elevated blood pressure.
Drinking too much alcohol can cause high blood pressure, so limit your intake of alcohol.
2. Regular exercise : During the week, set a goal of 150 moderate intensity aerobic exercise minutes or 75 vigorous intensity exercise minutes.
Strength training exercises should be included at least two times a week.
3. Weight Management : It is important to maintain a healthy weight, since excess weight puts additional strain on the heart and blood vessels.
It is possible to reduce blood pressure by losing even a small amount of weight.
4. Stress Management : Meditation, yoga, and deep breathing are all effective relaxation techniques.
Spend some time relaxing and unwinding after a long day.
5. Avoid Smoking : As a result of smoking, blood vessels are damaged and blood pressure is raised. It is imperative that you cease smoking for the sake of your heart health and to protect it from further damage.
6. Using too much salt : There can be a lot of salt in the body, also known as sodium, which can cause it to retain fluid, thereby increasing the blood pressure in the body.
7. Low potassium : A proper balance of potassium in the body can contribute to good heart health, as potassium helps balance the level of sodium in the body’s cells. Low potassium levels may be due to a lack of potassium in the diet or to certain health conditions, including dehydration.
8. Genetics : There is a family history of hypertension that can play a significant role in the development of hypertension. If your parents or near relatives have high blood pressure, you are more likely to develop it yourself.
9. Regular Monitoring : Make sure to monitor your blood pressure regularly, either on your own at home or with the help of your healthcare professional.
The early detection and management of hypertension can be achieved with regular check ups with your doctor.
10. Medication : In the event that lifestyle changes are not enough to control your blood pressure, your doctor may prescribe you medications like diuretics, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blocker, or beta blockers in an attempt to control it.
Medication should be taken according to the instructions on the label , and should not stopped without consulting your healthcare provider first.
Effective Treatment of High Blood Pressure : A comprehensive Guide
The condition of high blood pressure, also called hypertension, is very common and requires careful management to avoid serious health complications. In spite of the fact that it often presents with no symptoms, untreated high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, strokes, kidney damage, and other serious problems.
As a result, a variety of treatment options are available to help you manage and reduce your high blood pressure. In this blog post, we’ll discuss both lifestyle changes and medical treatments that can help reduce or control your high blood pressure.
Treatment of high blood pressure : A doctor will prescribe one or more of the following medications if lifestyle changes are not enough to control the high blood pressure. These medications may be prescribed by your doctor in order to control high blood pressure.
1. Diuretics (Water Pills)
Hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, and furosemide are common diuretics that help the kidneys eliminate sodium and water from the body, thereby reducing a person’s blood volume and reducing their blood pressure,
2 ACE Inhibitors :
Angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE) inhibitors relax blood vessels by blocking the formation of a natural chemical that narrows blood vessels in the body. Examples of these inhibitors are lisinopril, enalapril, and ramipril.
3. Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) :
Losartan, valsartan, and irbesartan are three of the most commonly used ARBs that relax blood vessels by blocking the action of the same chemical as ACE inhibitors.
4. Calcium Channel Blockers
In order to lower blood pressure, these medications prevent calcium from entering the walls of the heart and blood vessels, resulting in the blood pressure going down. Examples of these medications include amlodipine, diltiazem, and verapamil.
5. Beta Blockers
There are several types of beta-blockers available on the market, including metoprolol and atenolol, which are used to reduce the workload on the heart and open blood vessels. Beta-blockers cause the heart to beat slower and wih less force.
5. Renin Inhibitors
Inhibitors of renin, such as aliskiren, interact with the kidneys to prevent the production of the enzyme renin, which is responsible for initiating a chain of chemical reactions that cause an increase in blood pressure.
6. Aldosterone Antagonists
A number of medications block aldosterone, a hormone that can result in fluid and sodium retention when taken. Examples of these medications include spironolactone and eplerenone.
7. Vasodilators
Vasodilators relax the muscles in the walls of blood vessels, especially small arteries (arterioles), resulting in dilated blood vessels (wider vessels). Examples of vasodilators are hydralazine and minoxidil.
Conclusion:
Managing high blood pressure requires a combination of lifestyle changes and medical treatment. If you understand the causes of your high blood pressure and implement effective strategies, you will be able to take control of your blood pressure and reduce the risk of severe health complications that may result.
Developing a personalized health care plan that suits your needs and helps you achieve optimal health can only be achieved through close collaboration with your healthcare provider.
