High blood pressure or hypertension is a very common condition affecting so many people. It should be managed regularly as it may cause many other health issues.

Are you suffering from hypertension? Wondering what are the symptoms, risk factors, types, and how will tackle it? Then this blog is a must read for you.

Karetrip is here for you to give all the information you need to know about hypertension or high blood pressure so that you can manage the condition well in advance.

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension happens when the pressure exerted by the blood against the artery walls is higher than normal. It is called the ‘silent killer’ because it usually has no noticeable symptoms but can cause significant damage to the heart, kidneys, and other organs over time.

Understanding Blood Pressure Readings

Blood pressure readings are given as two numbers, measured in millimetres of mercury, e.g., 120/80 mm Hg.

Systolic Pressure is the number which measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. Diastolic Pressure is the number which measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats.

Normal vs. High Blood Pressure Levels

For Normal blood pressure, the systolic is less than 120 mm Hg and diastolic less than 80 mm Hg. When the systolic is 120-129 mm Hg and diastolic is less than 80 mm Hg, it is an elevated blood pressure.

Other cases can be given as follows:

• Hypertension Stage 1: Systolic 130-139 mm Hg or diastolic 80-89 mm Hg.
• Hypertension Stage 2: Systolic 140 mm Hg or higher or diastolic 90 mm Hg or higher.
• Hypertensive Crisis: Systolic over 180 mm Hg and/or diastolic over 120 mm Hg, which requires immediate medical attention.

Causes of Hypertension

Some of the common causes of Hypertension are as follows:

• If close family members have high blood pressure, there is an increased chance of having it.
• The risk of hypertension increases as you age.
• Poor lifestyle choices, such as a lack of physical activity, an unhealthy diet high in salt and low in potassium, can lead to the development of hypertension.
• Obesity or being overweight can increase the risk.
• Chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure.

Secondary Hypertension

Secondary hypertension appears suddenly and causes higher blood pressure than primary hypertension.

• Chronic kidney disease or polycystic kidney disease, can lead to high blood pressure.
• Disorders of the adrenal glands can cause secondary hypertension.
• Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause blood pressure to rise.
• Certain medications, such as birth control pills, cold remedies, and decongestants, can lead to hypertension.

Symptoms and Complications

There are no such symptoms of hypertension but few common issues can be listed as below:

• There may be severe headaches.
• There may be difficulty in breathing.
• Chest Pain can indicate high blood pressure.
• Feeling dizzy can occur in some cases.
• Blurred vision may happen if high blood pressure affects the eyes.

Health Complications

There are many health issues if high blood pressure is not taken care of initially. Following are some of the health complications included:

• High blood pressure can cause a heart attack.
• High blood pressure can lead to a stroke.
• High blood pressure can damage the arteries around the kidneys, reducing their ability to filter blood efficiently.
• High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in the eyes, leading to vision problems or blindness.
• High blood pressure can cause pain and mobility issues.
• High blood pressure can affect blood flow, leading to erectile dysfunction.

Diagnosis of Hypertension

You should sit quiet and relaxed for at least 5 minutes. Make sure your arm is supported at heart level, A sphygmomanometer is placed around the upper arm, inflated, and then slowly deflated while listening for blood flow sounds with a stethoscope.

The first sound indicates systolic pressure, and the point where the sound disappears indicates diastolic pressure. Multiple readings are taken to confirm the case.

You can also use a validated and calibrated home blood pressure monitor and Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring to monitor your blood pressure.

Lifestyle and Dietary Changes

You should eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and proteins to lower blood pressure.

Other dietary changes can be done as follows:

• You should include less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day, and ideally less than 1,500 mg for most adults. Prepare meals using fresh ingredients to control the amount of salt added.
• Include bananas, oranges, potatoes, spinach, and tomatoes in your diet.
• Reduce consumption of red meat, and sweets.
• Use olive oil, nuts, seeds, and avocados instead of saturated and trans fats.
• You can include Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Garlic, and potassium sources in your diet. You can also add Ginger, and celery seed in your daily intake. You can try a few techniques such as Acupuncture and Acupressure to attain a normal blood pressure.
• Aim for a body mass index (BMI) within the normal range (18.5-24.9). Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or tai chi. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. Poor sleep can negatively affect blood pressure.

Medical Treatments for Hypertension

Following are some of the medical treatments included for hypertension:

• Diuretics which help the kidneys remove excess salt and water from the body, lowering blood pressure.
• Beta-Blockers which reduce the heart rate and the heart's output of blood, lowering blood pressure.
• ACE Inhibitors (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors) which Relax blood vessels by preventing the formation of a hormone that narrows blood vessels.
• ARBs (Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers) which block the action of the hormone, leading to relaxation.

Some of the most commonly prescribed drugs for hypertension can be given as follows:

• Thiazide Diuretics
• Atenolol (Tenormin)
• Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)
• Losartan (Cozaar)

Alternative Therapies

Various Therapies are used to manage high blood pressure. Few are listed below:

• Yoga which combines physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Regular yoga practice can lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
• Meditation which includes mindfulness meditation. helps reduce stress and anxiety, thus lowering blood pressure.
• Tai Chi which is a form of martial arts that involves slow, deliberate movements, meditation, and deep breathing improves cardiovascular health, and lowers blood pressure.
• Aromatherapy can be included, which involves using essential oils like lavender, chamomile, and ylang-ylang.
• Massage Therapy can be included, which involves manipulation of muscles and soft tissues.

Preventing High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can be prevented by a few healthy lifestyle changes. We can list them as follows:

• Limit intake of processed and packaged foods which have high levels of sodium.
• Include fruits like bananas and oranges, vegetables like spinach and potatoes, and dairy products.
• Choose whole grains over refined grains for better heart health.
• Reduce intake of fatty meats, full-fat dairy products, and processed foods.
• Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (like brisk walking, cycling, or swimming) per week.
• Include muscle-strengthening activities at least two days a week.
• An excess abdominal fat is a risk factor for hypertension. Make sure your waist circumference is not too much.
• Engage in activities that you enjoy and that help reduce stress.