High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) – Symptoms & Causes
Introduction
Hypertension is a condition of high blood pressure that affects the arteries of the body, where the blood flowing in the blood vessels exerts pressure on the walls of the arteries. This causes the heart to work extra hard to pump blood due to the consistent pressure on the arterial walls. Consequently, this deteriorates the arterial capacity over time, leading to serious health conditions such as heart attacks and strokes.
High blood pressure usually does not have any symptoms, so affected individuals may not realise they have a high blood pressure condition. There are many risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing hypertension. Making lifestyle adjustments and taking specific medications can be beneficial in reducing and managing high blood pressure or hypertension.
What is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)?
High blood pressure or hypertension occurs when blood consistently exerts pressure on the walls of the arteries, causing damage over time. High blood pressure can make it harder for the heart to pump blood, potentially leading to various health complications in affected individuals, including heart attacks and strokes. Since it often presents no symptoms, it can remain undetected for a prolonged period, causing significant damage in the meantime.
Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and is indicated by systolic and diastolic values. Hypertension is typically diagnosed when the systolic pressure is at least 130 mmHg and the diastolic pressure is at least 90 mmHg. Individuals with blood pressure readings exceeding these values are considered to have hypertension. Blood pressure stages are categorised as follows:
- Normal blood pressure: 120/80 or below
- Elevated blood pressure: 120-129/80-89
- High blood pressure: 130/80 or higher
Symptoms of Hypertension
Most people with hypertension may show no symptoms at all, even if they have a dangerously high blood pressure level. That’s why it is also called the “silent killer.” Usually, when the blood pressure level goes beyond 180/120, people may experience some symptoms such as:
- Headaches
- Nosebleeds
- Shortness of breath
- Palpitations
Types of High BP
High blood pressure can be categorized into two types:
- Primary Hypertension: This type tends to develop over many years with no identifiable cause of high blood pressure. It is the most common type of hypertension and is often caused by lifestyle factors.
- Secondary Hypertension: Secondary hypertension may be caused by an underlying health condition or certain medications. It can occur suddenly and coexist with primary hypertension. There are other types of high blood pressure conditions that can occur in specific situations or conditions, such as:
- White Coat Hypertension
- Masked Hypertension
- Sustained Hypertension
- Nocturnal Hypertension
Causes of High Blood Pressure
Primary hypertension does not have any distinct causes; rather, a combination of factors can cause such a condition over time. Some of the common causes of primary hypertension may include:
- Dietary choices, especially the intake of sodium-rich foods.
- High alcohol consumption.
- Lack of physical activity.
On the other hand, the cause of secondary hypertension may be attributed to one or more conditions. Some of the common conditions that can lead to secondary hypertension may include:
- Thyroid problems.
- Kidney diseases, including renal vascular diseases that affect the blood flow in the arteries and veins of the kidneys.
- Adrenal gland problems like tumours.
- Obstructive sleep apnea.
- Tobacco use.
- Congenital vascular defects.
- Prescription drugs: immunosuppressants, NSAIDs, pain relievers, birth control pills.
- Illicit drugs.
Risk Factors
There are many risk factors when it comes to developing high blood pressure conditions. These may include the following:
- Being over 55 years of age.
- Being overweight.
- Having a family history of cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, or diabetes.
- Consuming foods rich in sodium (especially salty foods).
- Having a low potassium level (due to diet or certain health conditions such as dehydration).
- Lack of physical activity and exercise.
- Using tobacco through chewing, smoking, or vaping.
- Excessive alcohol intake.
- Stress.
- Pregnancy.
- Certain chronic conditions, including metabolic syndrome.
- Obstructive sleep apnea
Complications of High Blood Pressure
The excessive pressure on the walls of the blood vessels in organs can cause damage to both the vessels and the body’s organs. Unless treated, high blood pressure can result in long-term damage, including an increased risk of health conditions such as:
- Heart attack or stroke
- Heart failure
- Aneurysm
- Peripheral artery disease
- Kidney diseases, including kidney failure
- Eye problems, including loss of vision
- Vascular dementia
- Pregnancy complications
- Metabolic syndrome
Diagnosis & Treatment of High Blood Pressure
A blood pressure measuring device can help determine the blood pressure of an individual at any given point in time during a state of rest or activity, which can assist in measuring systolic and diastolic pressure in the arteries. It will provide a reading indicating the blood pressure, which doctors can then use to determine a course of treatment.
For borderline hypertension, doctors may recommend lifestyle changes to improve the condition. Recommendations may include the following:
- Avoiding salty or sodium-rich foods
- Maintaining a healthy body weight
- Exercising regularly or getting enough physical activity
- Avoiding smoking, chewing tobacco, vaping, and drinking alcohol
- Getting sufficient sleep
If, despite making lifestyle changes, hypertension conditions do not improve, doctors may recommend certain medicines to lower blood pressure. These may include diuretics, ACE inhibitors, alpha/alpha-beta/beta blockers, etc. Blood pressure-regulating medications should only be taken upon the recommendation of a professional healthcare provider. Special care should be taken to ensure the correct dosage and the routine timing of taking the medications.
Prevention of High Blood Pressure
There are several ways to reduce and prevent the risk of high blood pressure, including:
- Following a healthy diet plan by incorporating whole grains, fruits, and vegetables into your diet.
- Minimising sodium and salt intake as much as possible.
- Staying active and managing weight by shedding excess pounds to lower blood pressure.
- Drinking alcohol in moderation and avoiding smoking since smoking almost instantly raises blood pressure.
Omni Hospital is a multi-speciality hospital equipped with advanced medical facilities and services for the exceptional treatment of a wide range of health conditions and complications. With patient care and comfort as our top priorities, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive medical care with best-in-class facilities, supported by a skilled team of experienced medical practitioners and state-of-the-art equipment.