Hypertension is one of the severe health conditions responsible for various deaths throughout the world. According to the researchers, millions of people worldwide live with the problem of hypertension. In addition, hypertension is a significant risk factor for various health problems such as ischaemic and hemorrhagic stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and cognitive decline. Therefore, detecting the early signs of hypertension can help prevent further health problems.
How do we classify hypertension?
Hypertension is classified as a common but severe disease characterized by high blood pressure in the body. Blood pressure is the force of blood against the artery walls as it circulates through the body. Usually, blood pressure rises and falls throughout the day, but when the blood pressure stays high or low, it causes a problem.
Hypertension is one of the leading causes of the development of cardiovascular disease. Generally, there are two types of hypertension:
- Primary hypertension:- It is a condition when high blood pressure has no known cause. Genetic factors play an essential role in the development of primary hypertension.
- Secondary hypertension – It is a condition when high blood pressure results from another condition or disease.
Hypertension is a disease that rarely causes any symptoms in the earlier stages of the illness.
How do you feel when your blood pressure is high?
A disease like hypertension rarely shows any apparent symptoms in the starting phase of the illness. That is why it is often termed the silent killer as well. However, when a person’s blood pressure reaches extreme heights, then one may experience the following signs of hypertension:-
- Shortness of breath
- Nosebleeds
- Severe headaches
- Irregular heartbeat
- Vision problem
- Facial flushing
- Trouble in sleeping
- Blood in urine
- Nausea or vomiting
Consult your general physician at the earliest before such signs of hypertension lead to medical complications like a stroke or heart attack.
Also read: This Is How High Blood Pressure Can Affect You
What is the main cause of hypertension?
A disease like hypertension can take months or even years to develop. It is essential to get an adequate diagnosis to know the exact cause of hypertension. Though most of the risk factors of hypertension are within the control of an individual, some may prove challenging to manage. Some of the causes of hypertension are as follows:-
Cigarette smoking
Cigarette smoking and high blood pressure are both known to be significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease. A cigarette has more than a hundred chemicals, and most of them are pretty harmful.
One of the most addictive chemicals present in cigarette smoking is nicotine. Nicotine can be responsible for a lot of damage to the body. For example, nicotine leads to increased blood pressure and causes irregular heartbeat.
Obesity
Obesity is considered a significant risk factor that contributes to the development of hypertension. It is one of the conditions that has become a serious health problem and whose prevalence is increasing at a very high rate. Obesity is a condition in which an individual has excess body weight. This fat accumulation interferes with doing daily activities.
Body mass index is a measure of weight; overweight people have a high body mass index. According to one of the studies conducted on fat people, individuals with a body mass index above the normal range have higher blood pressure. Weight gain is associated with an increase in arterial pressure. Conversely, it has been observed that weight loss causes a decrease in blood pressure.
Salt intake
Excessive salt intake can result in increased blood pressure in the body. Some evidence suggests that a reduction in salt intake can delay or prevent hypertension in people. Hypertension is common in older adults, but it is equally common in the young generation. A high intake of salt is one of the leading causes.
Salt is the primary source of sodium in the body. Multiple studies show that cutting the intake of salt in the diet can help in decreasing arterial pressure. You must have heard that excess salt intake is dangerous for heart health and high blood pressure or hypertension is also a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Stress
Stress is another factor that has an impact on blood pressure. Most often, as the stress of an individual increase, there is an increase in arterial pressure. Stress is a significant cause of hypertension. Under stressful conditions, a body is more likely to produce a hormone that increases the pressure in the heart and makes it difficult for the heart to pump normally.
Stress is one of the significant risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease. Stress can cause various health problems, and high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases are just two of them. People who remain more stressed than usual are more prone to experience signs of hypertension.
Alcohol
Consumption of excessive alcohol can lead to hypertension. Several studies suggest that regular consumption of alcohol increases the risk of hypertension. People are more likely to have high blood pressure readings even after having just one drink a day. Consuming more than one drink a day substantially increases the risk of high blood pressure.
Heavy consumption of alcohol is associated with chronic heart failure, and hypertension is considered the most common cause of chronic heart failure. Alcohol is related to the tightening of blood vessels. Also, alcohol is high in sugar and calories, which is one of the risk factors for hypertension.
What is dangerously high blood pressure?
When the blood pressure levels reach dangerously high levels, one may get into a hypertensive crisis. In such a scenario, one should be rushed to the emergency at the earliest moment possible to avoid complications. Blood pressure levels become dangerously high when it crosses the top number of 180 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
Leaving such a chronic state of hypertension untreated can lead to multiple health complications, such as atherosclerosis, heart failure, heart attack, stroke, or angina, weakening of the blood vessels, and many more. Treating such chronic hypertension conditions will also include medications such as (Verapamil)Calaptin, (Carvedilol)Cardivas, or (Enalapril)Enapril.
Can hypertension be cured?
Hypertension is classified as a chronic disease with no permanent cure available to date. Taking the proper medical treatment can help manage the signs of hypertension and lower high blood pressure. However, to make the disease manageable in the long run, one would need to bring in lifestyle modifications as advised by the doctor.
Conclusion
Hypertension is a silent killer that rarely causes any symptoms. Therefore, increasing public awareness is the only key to early detection. It is essential for people to know why raised blood pressure is dangerous and what are the common triggers of hypertension.
Share this post with your family and friends to create awareness among them. Stay Safe, Stay Healthy!!
