What is High Blood Pressure? Why is it bad? And what can we do to help ourselves? Great research here.

 

What is High Blood Pressure, and how can we deal with it.

Blood Pressure is a measure of the force that your heart uses to pump blood around your body.  It is the pressure of circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels.  Most of this pressure results from the heart pumping blood through the Circulatory System. When used without qualification, the term "blood pressure" refers to the pressure in the large arteries.

Blood pressure is one of the vital signs, together with respiratory rate, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and body temperature, that the medical fraternity use in evaluating a patient's health. Normal resting blood pressure, in an adult is approximately 120 millimetres of mercury (16kPa) “systolic” over 80 millimetres of mercury (11kPa) “diastolic”, denoted as "120/80mmHg".

Systolic pressure is the “maximum pressure during one heartbeat”.  Diastolic pressure is the “minimum pressure between two heart beats”.  Yep, as always, the science is exciting, but confusing!!

So, the ideal blood pressure is 120/80, as above.  High Blood Pressure is so called if it reaches 140/90, and Low Blood Pressure if it reaches 90/60.

 

High blood pressure, or Hypertension, occurs when your blood pressure increases to unhealthy levels.

Narrow arteries increase resistance.  The narrower your arteries are, the higher your blood pressure will be.  Over the long term, increased pressure can cause health issues, including heart disease.

 

Hypertension typically develops over the course of several years.  Usually, you don’t notice any symptoms.  But even without symptoms, high blood pressure can cause damage to your blood vessels and organs, especially the brain, heart, eyes, and kidneys.

 

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

 

Primary hypertension

Primary hypertension is also called essential hypertension.  This kind of hypertension develops over time with no identifiable cause.  Most people have this type of high blood pressure.  Researchers are still unclear what mechanisms cause blood pressure to slowly increase.  A combination of factors may play a role.  These factors include:

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

·      Physical changes: If something in your body changes, you may begin experiencing issues throughout your body.  High blood pressure may be one of those issues.  For example, it’s thought that changes in your kidney function due to aging may upset the body’s natural balance of salts and fluid.  This change may cause your body’s blood pressure to increase.

·      Environment: Over time, unhealthy lifestyle choices like lack of physical activity and poor diet can take their toll on your body.  Lifestyle choices can lead to weight problems.  Being overweight or obese can increase your risk for hypertension.

 

Secondary Hypertension

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

·      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 tumours

 

Symptoms of Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Hypertension is generally a silent condition. Many people won’t experience any symptoms.  It may take years or even decades for the condition to reach levels severe enough that symptoms become obvious.  Even then, these symptoms may be attributed to other issues.

Symptoms of severe hypertension can include:

·      Headaches

·      Shortness of breath

·      Nosebleeds

·      Flushing

·      Dizziness

·      Chest pain

·      Visual changes

·      Blood in the urine

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

The best way to know if you have hypertension is to get regular blood pressure readings.  Most doctors’ offices take a blood pressure reading at every appointment. If you rarely see a doctor, it may be good to make an appointment and talk to your doctor about your risks for hypertension and other readings you may need to help you watch your blood pressure.

For example, if you have a family history of heart disease or have risk factors for developing the condition, your doctor may recommend that you have your blood pressure checked twice a year.  This helps you and your doctor stay on top of any possible issues before they become problematic.

How do they know my blood pressure?

Diagnosing hypertension is as simple as taking a blood pressure reading.  Some doctors’ offices check blood pressure as part of a routine visit.  If you don’t receive a blood pressure reading at your next appointment, request one.

If your blood pressure is elevated, your doctor may request you have more readings over the course of a few days or weeks.  A hypertension diagnosis is rarely given after just one reading.  Your doctor needs to see evidence of a sustained problem.  That’s because your environment can contribute to increased blood pressure, such as the stress you may feel by being at the doctor’s office.  Also, blood pressure levels change throughout the day.

If your blood pressure remains high, your doctor will likely conduct more tests to rule out underlying conditions.  These tests can include:

·      Urine Test

·      Cholesterol Screening and other blood tests

·      Test of your heart’s electrical activity with an electrocardiogram (EKG, sometimes referred to as an ECG)

·      Ultrasound of your heart or kidneys

These tests can help your doctor identify any secondary issues causing your elevated blood pressure.  They can also look at the effects high blood pressure may have had on your organs.

During this time, your doctor may begin treating your hypertension.  Early treatment may reduce your risk of lasting damage.

There are 5 categories that define blood pressure readings for adults.

1.      Healthy:  A healthy blood pressure reading is less than 120/80 millimetres of mercury (mm Hg).

2.      Elevated:  The systolic number is between 120 and 129 mm Hg, and the diastolic number is less than 80 mm Hg. Doctors usually don’t treat elevated blood pressure with medication. Instead, your doctor may encourage lifestyle changes to help lower your numbers.

3.      Stage 1 Hypertension:  The systolic number is between 130 and 139 mm Hg, or the diastolic number is between 80 and 89 mm Hg.

4.      Stage 2 Hypertension:  The systolic number is 140 mm Hg or higher, or the diastolic number is 90 mm Hg or higher.

5.      Hypertensive Crisis:  The systolic number is over 180 mm Hg, or the diastolic number is over 120 mm Hg. Blood pressure in this range requires urgent medical attention. If any symptoms such as chest pain, headache, shortness of breath, or visual changes occur when blood pressure is this high, medical care in the emergency room is needed.

A blood pressure reading is taken with a pressure cuff. For an accurate reading, it’s important you have a cuff that fits.  An ill-fitting cuff may deliver inaccurate readings.  Blood pressure readings are different for children and teenagers.  Ask your child’s doctor for the healthy ranges for your child if you’re asked to monitor their blood pressure.

Getting Treatment

A number of factors help your doctor determine the best treatment option for you.  These factors include which type of hypertension you have and what causes have been identified.

 

Primary hypertension treatment options

If your doctor diagnoses you with primary hypertension, lifestyle changes may help reduce your high blood pressure.  If lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough, or if they stop being effective, your doctor may prescribe medication.

 

Secondary hypertension treatment options

If your doctor discovers an underlying issue causing your hypertension, treatment will focus on that other condition.  For example, if a medicine you’ve started taking is causing increased blood pressure, your doctor will try other medicines that don’t have this side effect.

Sometimes, hypertension is persistent despite treatment for the underlying cause.  In this case, your doctor may work with you to develop lifestyle changes and prescribe medications to help reduce your blood pressure.

Treatment plans for hypertension often evolve. What worked at first may become less useful over time. Your doctor will continue to work with you to refine your treatment.

 

What can happen to us if we neglect high blood pressure?

Because hypertension is often a silent condition, it can cause damage to your body for years before symptoms become obvious.  If hypertension isn’t treated, you may face serious, even fatal, complications.

What about your Arteries?  Healthy arteries are flexible and strong.  Blood flows freely and unobstructed through healthy arteries and vessels.

Hypertension makes arteries tougher, tighter, and less elastic.  This damage makes it easier for dietary fats to deposit in your arteries and restrict blood flow.  This damage can lead to increased blood pressure, blockages, and, eventually, heart attack and stroke.

What about your Heart?  Hypertension makes your heart work too hard.  The increased pressure in your blood vessels forces your heart’s muscles to pump more frequently and with more force than a healthy heart should have to.

This may cause an enlarged heart.  An enlarged heart increases your risk for the following:

·      heart failure

·      arrhythmias

·      sudden cardiac death

·      heart attack

What about the Brain?  Your brain relies on a healthy supply of oxygen-rich blood to work properly.  High blood pressure can reduce your brain’s supply of blood:

Temporary blockages of blood flow to the brain are called “Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs).

Significant blockages of blood flow cause brain cells to die. This is known as a stroke.

Uncontrolled hypertension may also affect your memory and ability to learn, recall, speak, and reason.  Treating hypertension often doesn’t erase or reverse the effects of uncontrolled hypertension.  It does, however, lower the risks for future problems.

What can we do ourselves to help us?

Healthy lifestyle changes can help you control the factors that cause hypertension.

Here are some of the most common home remedies.

Developing a Healthy Diet:   A heart-healthy diet is vital for helping to reduce high blood pressure. It’s also important for managing hypertension that is under control and reducing the risk of complications.  These complications include heart disease, stroke, and heart attack.

A heart-healthy diet emphasizes foods that include:

·      Fruits

·      Vegetables

·      whole grains

·      lean proteins like fish

Increasing Physical Activity:  Reaching a healthy weight should include being more physically active. In addition to helping you shed pounds, exercise can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure naturally, and strengthen your cardiovascular system.  Aim to get 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week. That’s about 30 minutes five times per week.

Reaching a Healthy Weight:  If you are overweight or obese, losing weight through a heart-healthy diet and increased physical activity can help lower your blood pressure.

Managing Stress:  Exercise is a great way to manage stress. Other activities can also be helpful. These include:

·      Meditation

·      deep breathing

·      massage

·      muscle relaxation

·      yoga or tai chi

These are all proven stress-reducing techniques. Getting adequate sleep can also help reduce stress levels.

Adopting a cleaner lifestyle.  If you’re a smoker, try to quit. The chemicals in tobacco smoke damage the body’s tissues and harden blood vessel walls.

If you regularly consume too much alcohol or have an alcohol dependency, seek help to reduce the amount you drink or stop altogether. Alcohol can raise blood pressure