Hypertension or high blood pressure is the most common health problem in the U.S. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and American Heart Association, one in three adults suffers from this health problem. As this disease is known as a silent disease most of the people don’t even know they have high blood pressure.
What is hypertension?
In simple terms, hypertension means a person is suffering from high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force applied by blood to push against blood vessel walls. The heart pumps blood into the arteries which carry the blood throughout the body. When the pressure is high, the heart works harder to pump blood to the body. This leads to the hardening of the arteries and to the development of heart failure.
Before trying to understand high blood pressure, it is essential to have some knowledge about normal blood pressure range. Normally, blood pressure readings fall under the following ranges:
- Normal: Less than 120 over 80 (120/80)
- Pre-hypertension: 120-139 over 80-89
- Stage 1 high blood pressure: 140-159 over 90-99
- Stage 2 high blood pressure: 160 and above over 100 and above
People whose blood pressure is above the normal range suffer from hypertension or high blood pressure.
Some 70 million adults the United States are affected by hypertension. The condition also affects about two million teens and children. According to a report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in September 2012, over half all Americans with hypertension do not have their high blood pressure under control.
To know about high blood pressure, visit www.heart.org
What are the different types of hypertension?
There are mainly two types of hypertension:
Primary (essential) hypertension
Around 90–95% of all cases of hypertension are related to primary hypertension or essential hypertension where the symptoms tend to develop gradually over many years. In many cases, there is no identifiable cause behind this health problem. One can suffer from primary hypertension due to several environmental factors, lifestyle factors and excessive stress. Some recent studies have also indicated with low birth weight, maternal smoking and lack of breast feeding can also cause essential hypertension in later years.
Many people suffer from high blood pressure sue to some underlying condition. This type of high blood pressure is known as secondary hypertension. Various conditions and medications can lead to secondary hypertension are kidney problems; adrenal gland tumors; certain defects in blood vessels at the time of birth; certain medications like birth control pills, cold remedies, decongestants and over-the-counter pain relievers; and illegal drugs like cocaine and amphetamines.
Although the problem of hypertension is most common in adults, children may also suffer from it. For some children, high blood pressure is caused by problems with the kidneys or heart.
What are the causes of Hypertension?
The exact causes of hypertension are not known, but there are several factors and conditions that can cause this health problem. Some of the common factors and conditions of hypertension are:
- Too much stress
- Excessive consumption of alcohol
- Consumption of excessive salt
- Have a family history of high blood pressure
- Chronic kidney disease
- Disorders of the adrenal gland
- Medications such as birth control pills, diet pills, some cold medications, and migraine medications
- Lack of physical activity
- Chronic kidney disease
- Adrenal and thyroid disorders or tumors
- Insufficient calcium, potassium, and magnesium consumption
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Use of cocaine
At the same time certain statistics indicate that African Americans have a higher tendency of suffering from hypertension as compared to other ethnicities.
There are many factors that can affect blood pressure, like the amount of water and salt present in the body; the health condition of the kidneys, nervous system and blood vessels’ and the body hormonal levels. High blood pressure or hypertension happens when the blood vessels become stiffer. It is very essential to control hypertension on time as it can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease, and early death.
What are the symptoms of hypertension?
One of the most dangerous things about hypertension is that people are not aware of the fact that they have it. This is because, in most of the cases of hypertension, there are no symptoms even though the blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels. The only way to know if your blood pressure is high is through regular checkups. This is especially important if you have a family history.
However, in extreme cases, a person can have the following symptoms such as:
- Severe headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue or confusion
- Blurred vision
- Regular chest pain
- Having difficulty in breathing
- Irregular heartbeat
- Blood in the urine
If you have any of the above mentioned symptoms, you need to immediately see a doctor. Remember that is hypertension is not treated on time it can lead to heart attack, kidney failure, eye problem or stroke.
How to diagnose hypertension?
You need to check your blood pressure level several times before coming to the conclusion that you suffer from hypertension or high blood pressure.
You can check your blood pressure level at home or at a doctor’s clinic. Blood pressure is measured with sphygmomanometer. This is special kind of device with which blood pressure can be measured in two ways: systolic and diastolic.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). A person have a normal blood pressure when the reading is less than 120/80 mm Hg. Hypertension is when the reading is greater than 140/90, while pre-hypertension is when the blood pressure reading is 120 to 139/80 to 89.
Blood pressure may increase or decrease, depending on your age, heart condition, emotions, activity, and the medications you take. This is why it is necessary to measure your blood pressure at different times, while you are resting comfortably for at least five minutes. To make the diagnosis of hypertension, at least three readings are required.
Once diagnosed with hypertension, a doctor will perform a physical exam to look for signs of heart disease, damage to the eyes, and other changes in your body. Some of the common tests recommend by a doctor are:
- Blood tests including measurement of electrolytes and blood urea
- Lipid profile tests to check levels of various kinds of cholesterol
- Special tests for hormones of the adrenal gland or thyroid gland
- Urine tests for electrolytes and hormones
- An eye examination with an ophthalmoscope to check for ocular damage
- Ultrasound of the kidneys or CT scan of the abdomen to check the enlargement of the kidneys and adrenal glands
- Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) to measure the electrical activity along with rate and rhythm of heartbeat
- Echocardiogram to study the pumping action of the heart and the wall thickness of the heart
- A plain chest x-ray to estimate the size of the heart
What are the treatments options for hypertension?
Today there are different treatment options available for controlling hypertension. The goal of the treatments is to reduce blood pressure in order the lower down the complications.
Slight changes in the lifestyle can help to bring the high blood pressure level down to a normal range. Some of the changes that you need to incorporate in your day to day life are:
- Eat a healthy diet, especially foods that are rich in potassium and fiber. Along with foods you also need to drink plenty of water.
- Regular exercise is highly recommended. To control high blood pressure level one must aerobic exercises daily for at least half an hour.
- It is essential to quit smoking totally.
- It is better to totally avoid or limit alcohol consumption.
- Eat less salt. Make it an aim to consume less than 1,500 mg of salt per day.
- Avoid things that can cause stress. To control stress try some meditation or yoga.
- Try to maintain a healthy body weight.
There are many different medicines that can be used to treat high blood pressure.
Diuretics: Also known as water pills, these medicines help the kidneys to eliminate sodium and water from your body. As a result, the blood vessels start functioning properly and help in reducing the blood pressure level.
Beta blockers: These medicines help the heart to beat at a slower rate and by opening the blood vessels. It also reduces the nerve impulses to blood vessels.
Alpha blockers: These medicines help relax your blood vessels thus helping to lower down the blood pressure.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: These medicines help relax the blood vessels by blocking the formation of a natural chemical that narrows blood vessels.
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs): These medicines help relax blood vessels by blocking the action of a natural chemical that narrows blood vessels.
Calcium channel blockers: These medicines relax the muscles of the blood vessels by stopping calcium from entering cells.
Centrally acting drugs: These medicines help in giving signals to the brain and nervous system to relax your blood vessels and reduce the heart rate.
Vasodilators: These medicines offer signal to the muscles in the walls of blood vessels to relax, thus preventing the muscles from tightening.
Renin inhibitors: These medicines relax the blood vessels by reducing the production of renin, an enzyme produced by the kidneys that can increase blood pressure.
Often, a single blood pressure drug may not be enough to control your blood pressure, and you may need to take two or more drugs. It is very important that you take the medications as prescribed to you by your doctor.
Side Effects of Blood Pressure Medicines
Most of the blood pressure medicines have side effects. Some common side effects are:
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Erection problems
- Feeling nervous
- Feeling tired, weak, drowsy, or a lack of energy
- Nausea or vomiting
- Skin rash
- Weight loss or gain without trying
In case you are prescribed with high blood pressure medicines and you are having any of the above mentioned side effects, then you need to immediately inform about it to your doctor. A slight change in dose of the medicine or time of day you take it can reduce the side effects. At the same time never make the mistake of changing the dose or stop taking your medicines on your own. Always consult your doctor first.
Natural Remedies for Hypertension:
Along with lifestyle changes and medicines, there is another way to control high blood pressure level. There are many natural ingredients available in your kitchen or garden that can be used in the treatment of hypertension.
For instance to relax blood vessels, nothing can be better than garlic. Use garlic in raw or cooked form to reduce your high blood pressure level. At the same time, try to eat three to four of nuts, seeds and dry beans per week.
Foods enriched with omega-3 fatty acids can also be of great help. Cold water fish like salmon and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. In case you do not like fish, then you can always take fish oil supplements.
Eat celery and parsley as the antioxidant vitamin present in them can lower the blood pressure level. At the same time, People suffering from hypertension must make it a habit to consume one to two teaspoon of honey on empty stomach daily. Honey has a calming effect on the blood vessels and hence it can be helpful in reducing high blood pressure.
Herbs such as Licorice, Ephedra, Asian Ginseng and Rosemary essential oil must be avoided as it can cause high blood pressure.
For more such simple and easy home remedies for hypertension, visit www.top10homeremedies.com
What are the complications associated with hypertension?
When blood pressure is not well controlled, you are at risk for:
- Bleeding from the aorta, the large blood vessel that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs
- Chronic kidney disease
- Heart attack and heart failure
- Poor blood supply to the legs
- Problems with your vision
- Trouble with memory or understanding
When to see a doctor?
Those having high blood pressure must go for regular check-ups with their doctor. At times it is essential to change the medicine or its dose. So, whenever you have breathing problem or you are feeling uneasy you need to visit your doctor immediately.
How hypertension can be prevented?
The good news is that high blood pressure is a preventable disease and you have the power to take control of your health. Anyone can suffer from hypertension, but with certain preventive measures, one can avoid it. Some of the preventive measures are:
- Adults over 18 should have their blood pressure checked regularly.
- Adopt DASH eating plan.
- Moderate alcohol consumption.
- Lifestyle changes may help control your blood pressure.
- Follow your doctor’s advice to modify, treat, or control possible causes of high blood pressure.
Hypertension or high blood pressure can be prevented or reversed by following a healthy lifestyle, eating a balanced diet, and by regular health check-ups. The increasing rate of hypertension can also be controlled by increasing awareness amongst people and when people have enough knowledge about the disease then they will automatically take preventive measures.