What is High Blood Pressure?
Introduction; High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common and under-diagnosed condition in the United States. In fact, according to the CDC, one in three adults in the United States has high blood pressure, and one in three of those have no idea. This makes it the number one preventable cause of death worldwide. Here’s what you need to know about high blood pressure, and what you can do to prevent it in yourself and your loved ones. Definition; High blood pressure (HBP) is also called hypertension. Hypertension is a condition that results from a high level of pressure in the blood vessels.
Your blood pressure is made up of two types of pressure: systolic and diastolic pressure. systolic pressure is the top number in your blood pressure reading, and diastolic pressure is the bottom number in your blood pressure reading. Systolic pressure is the pressure in your arteries when your heart is contracting, and diastolic pressure is the pressure in your arteries when your heart is at rest.
The ideal blood pressure is between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg, high blood pressure is 140/90mmHg or higher, low blood pressure is 90/60mmHg or lower
What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?
You usually don`t notice symptoms of high blood pressure until serious health problems occur. The most common symptoms of high blood pressure are headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Other symptoms of high blood pressure include blurred vision, vision loss, and swelling in your legs. The symptoms of high blood pressure can be a warning sign that your blood pressure is too high and should be checked by your provider.
what are the causes and risk factors for high blood pressure?
Many factors can cause high blood pressure. The most common risk factors for high blood pressure are:
age; Blood pressure tends to increase with age due to the blood vessels naturally thickening and stiffening over time increasing the risk for high blood pressure.
family history; A family history of high blood pressure increases your risk of developing high blood pressure. If you have a parent, sibling, or child who has high blood pressure, you are more likely to develop high blood pressure. This is shown by genetic studies that have shown that high blood pressure is inherited in families.
lifestyle habits; Some lifestyle habits such as lack of exercise, smoking, and drinking too much alcohol can increase your risk for high blood pressure.
sex; Throughout the Middle Ages, men are more likely to develop high blood pressure than women. But women are more likely to develop high blood pressure in older adults. Women who have high blood pressure during pregnancy are more likely to have high blood pressure later in life.
social economic status; Social economic status factors such as income, your education, where you live, and the type of job you have may contribute to your risk of high blood pressure. People with low social economic status are more likely to have a high blood pressure than people with high social economic status.
other conditions like certain tumors, chronic kidney disease, metabolic syndrome, and thyroid problems
other factors include; high cholesterol, and medicines
Can high blood pressure be prevented?
High blood pressure can be prevented through healthy lifestyle choices such as eating right, exercising, and not smoking. Your provider can help you make the best choices for you. If you have high blood pressure, it is important to work closely with your provider to find the best treatment plan that works for you. This may include making lifestyle changes and taking medicines.
Can high blood pressure be treated?
Yes, it can. High blood pressure is managed by your health care provider or by a team of experts who may include your typical doctor or provider, a nutritionist, a pharmacist, and specialists for any conditions you may have, including those related to your heart. A risk calculator can help estimate your risk of complications and choose the right treatment. The best treatment plan for you will depend on your symptoms, risks, and lifestyle. Your provider will help you decide on the best treatment plan for you. Treatment for high blood pressure includes making healthy lifestyle choices such as eating right, exercising, not smoking and medicine.
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