Know the A to Z of High Blood Pressure from AccuHealth Experts

A condition where your blood pressure increases to unhealthy levels is known as high blood pressure or hypertension. Your blood pressure is measured by the amount of blood passing through your blood vessels. The amount of resistance the blood meets while the heart is pumping is also taken into consideration. An increased blood pressure can cause a number of health issues, including heart disease in the long run.

Hypertension develops over years with no noticeable symptoms. Even if you do not have any symptoms, a high blood pressure can cause damage to your blood vessels and organs. It can especially damage the brain, heart, eyes, and kidneys.

Early detection of high blood pressure is important. Regular blood pressure readings can help you and your doctor notice any significant changes. If you have high blood pressure, your doctor might want to monitor your condition over a few weeks and see if the number stays elevated or falls back to normal levels.

Treatment for hypertension includes prescription medication. Some healthy lifestyle changes also prove to be of great value. If the condition isn’t treated, high blood pressure could lead to severe health issues, including heart attack and stroke.

Causes or Reasons of Sudden High Blood Pressure

There are two types of hypertensions and each type has a different cause.

Primary hypertension

Primary or essential hypertension develops over time with no identifiable cause and most people experience this type of high blood pressure.

Although the cause of increase in blood pressure is still not scientifically proven, combination of some factors that may play a role include:

• Genes: Some people are genetically predisposed to hypertension which may be from gene mutations or genetic abnormalities inherited from parents.

• Physical changes: If your body undergoes certain changes, you may begin experiencing other issues in your body as well and high blood pressure may be one of those.

• Environment: Over time, unhealthy lifestyle choices like lack of physical activity and poor diet can be causes of severe health damage. Lifestyle choices can also lead to weight problems and being overweight or obese can increase your risk for hypertension.

Secondary hypertension

Secondary hypertension often occurs quickly. It can become more severe than primary hypertension. Several conditions that may cause secondary hypertension are:

• Kidney disease
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Congenital heart defects
• Problems with your thyroid
• Side effects of medications
• Use of illegal drugs
• Alcohol abuse or chronic use
• Adrenal gland problems
• Certain endocrine tumors

Signs and Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

Hypertension is generally a silent condition and many people won’t experience symptoms.

Signs of severe high blood pressure can include:

• Headaches
• Shortness of
• Nosebleeds
• Flushing
• Dizziness
• Chest pain
• Visual changes
• Blood in the urine

These symptoms require immediate medical attention and they don’t occur in everyone with hypertension. Having said that, waiting for a symptom of this condition to appear could be fatal.

The best way to know if you have hypertension is to get yourself regularly monitored for high blood pressure readings. Most doctors’ offices take a high blood pressure reading at every appointment.

What is considered a Normal Blood Pressure Range?

A blood pressure range below 120/80 mm Hg is considered to be normal.

Treatment options for high blood pressure

Your doctor determines the best treatment option for you based on a number of factors. These factors include which stage of hypertension you are at. It also includes what causes of hypertension have been identified.

Primary hypertension treatment options

If your doctor diagnoses you with primary hypertension, you may have a chance to change your lifestyle and get rid of it. If your doctor sees that your lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough, or if they are not being effective, your doctor may prescribe medication.

How to prevent High Blood Pressure

Healthy lifestyle changes can help you control factors causing high blood pressure. Here are some tips to prevent high blood pressure.

• Eat a healthy diet
• Be physically active
• Attain a healthy weight
• Manage stress