Facts to know about high blood pressure and hypertension
Hypertension is the term given to a group of health problems that include a rise in blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).
Other names for hypertension include:
high blood pressure
high blood pressure
prehypertension
aortic stenosis
cardiovascular disease (CVD)
High blood pressure is when a person's blood pressure has increased to a certain level, but not enough to put the person at serious risk.
Symptoms of high blood pressure
Symptoms of high blood pressure may include:
dizziness
headaches
shortness of breath
weakness
fatigue
Blindness
Some people may find that their vision changes over time. Some people may find that their vision changes over time.
The AHA also report that 50 percent of people with hypertension can still get their symptoms despite taking medications to control the condition.
Some of the symptoms that may be associated with high blood pressure include:
sweating more than usual
changes to the way one sees, such as blurriness or a sudden change in eyesight
double vision
blurred vision
nausea
droopy eyelids
constipation
fatigue
swelling
vision changes
Changes to the heart
The medical community generally agree that high blood pressure can cause the heart to enlarge and become enlarged, which can lead to heart failure. Some people also have enlargement of the heart muscles that may cause the heart to beat faster and with more force than normal.
When high blood pressure affects the heart, the heart can become confused and make abnormal beats.
Causes of high blood pressure
There may be many causes and risk factors in association with high blood pressure. Some of these risk factors may not seem that serious, but they may still be responsible for the high blood pressure or the risk of developing the condition.
Risk factors and causes in association with high blood pressure include:
Age
The older a person gets, the higher their risk for high blood pressure.
Weight
Being overweight is one of the causes and risk factors for hypertension.
Family history
Having high blood pressure in a family increases the risk for high blood pressure in a person.
Smoking
Smoking is a risk factor for hypertension.
Emotional stress
Emotional stress can raise blood pressure and can make high blood pressure worse.
Medications
Antihypertensive drugs may make blood pressure go up.
Indoor air pollution
Air pollution that includes pollutants, such as ozone and smoke, may increase blood pressure.
Drugs
Some types of medications that people may take for health reasons may also increase blood pressure.
Some of these risk factors may be part of the normal aging process, and may go away or change over time.
It is also possible for high blood pressure to develop due to certain factors, such as:
stress
poor diet
smoking
some medications
certain medical conditions, including:
atrial fibrillation
kidney disease
heart defects
overexertion, such as carrying a heavy weight or prolonged standing
abnormal heart rhythm
stress
Diagnosis
To diagnose high blood pressure, a doctor will measure the person's blood pressure using a blood pressure cuff and ask them questions about the person's medical history, including when and why they became sick, how long the illness lasted, and when they first became aware of their symptoms.
A doctor will often also examine the:
womb
pulse
ears
stomach
lymph nodes
vision
peripheral nerves
heart
The doctor may also ask the person to perform certain exercises or tests, such as:
Standing for 30 minutes with the arm on a moving wheel.
Swallowing a teaspoon of lemon juice to check the person's salt levels.
A person who is thinking about possible high blood pressure may also have other tests that check the heart.
A person with high blood pressure will sometimes have signs and symptoms similar to other illnesses. These include:
nausea or vomiting
fatigue
night sweats
cold hands and feet
peeling skin
strange taste
burning in the face
abdominal pain
Shortness of breath
headaches
blurred vision
diarrhea
flu-like symptoms
fainting
slow heartbeat
high blood pressure may also prove to be harmful for a person's:
kidneys
lungs
blood vessels
Blood pressure reading methods
Blood pressure may be measured by a doctor with a blood pressure cuff, with a machine, or with a stethoscope.
A doctor may also perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) to diagnose high blood pressure if symptoms are not the cause of the high blood pressure.
A blood pressure cuff
A blood pressure cuff measures the volume of blood in the person's blood vessels.
Typically, the cuff is placed around the upper arm and inflated. The pressure on the artery is then measured.
When doctors use a cuff, they typically use a cuff that is smaller than a healthy blood vessel. As a result, the pressure is slightly higher than the average blood pressure reading.
A doctor will usually measure the arterial blood pressure first, followed by the mean arterial pressure (the pressure when the cuff is deflated) and then the systolic blood pressure (the pressure when the cuff is inflated).
The doctor will ask the person to hold the cuff for several minutes and then to press on the abdomen or a finger to take the measurement.
The doctor will often require that the person takes the measurement in both arms.
Blood pressure monitoring with a computer monitor
It is possible to use a computer to take a blood pressure reading.
A person will be asked to step on a treadmill with a monitor attached to the machine and to rate the pain of the treadmill.
The doctor will then take a blood pressure reading using the treadmill.
The average resting blood pressure is usually taken as 120/80 mm Hg. A systolic blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure of 80/60 mm Hg are considered normal.
A person should be encouraged to monitor their blood pressure at home. A person should be encouraged to monitor their blood pressure at home.
A doctor may recommend that a person regularly measures their blood pressure.
Using the same device at home, a person can monitor their blood pressure without needing to schedule an appointment.
The doctor may also order some blood tests to check for high blood pressure.
A doctor may diagnose high blood pressure when the systolic pressure is in the range of 140/90 mm Hg to 160/110 mm Hg.
A doctor may recommend that a person take medication to control high blood pressure.
When to see a doctor
To see a doctor about high blood pressure, the signs and symptoms need to be present for at least three months.
Diagnosing high blood pressure can be difficult, and not all people with the signs and symptoms are diagnosed.
People who have symptoms that could be symptoms of another health condition are often referred to a healthcare professional.
People who do not have high blood pressure but are at risk for it may wish to see a doctor if they:
feel tired for no apparent reason
have severe headaches or migraines
are very sensitive to noise
have unusual smells or tastes
have a stiff neck
have unusual skin or nails
experience any sensation of numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
are extremely thirsty
have blurred vision
Have more than one risk factor for high blood pressure
High blood pressure does not always mean a person has high blood pressure. Individuals with certain kinds of risk factors, such as:
a family history of high blood pressure
a previous stroke
higher weight
unhealthy lifestyle habits
The American Heart Association has a long list of risk factors and symptoms of high blood pressure, which can help a person determine if they are at risk.
If a person has any of these risk factors, they should seek immediate medical attention.
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