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What Are The Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure

Why Is Hypertension An Important Issue In Low

High Blood Pressure Symptoms

The prevalence of hypertension varies across regions and country income groups. The WHO African Region has the highest prevalence of hypertension while the WHO Region of the Americas has the lowest prevalence of hypertension .

The number of adults with hypertension increased from 594 million in 1975 to 1.13 billion in 2015, with the increase seen largely in low- and middle-income countries. This increase is due mainly to a rise in hypertension risk factors in those populations.

Living With High Blood Pressure

Controlling your high blood pressure is a lifelong commitment. You will always need to monitor your weight, make healthy food choices, exercise, learn to cope with stress, avoid smoking, and limit your alcohol intake. If you need medicine to control your high blood pressure, you will likely need it all your life.

Additionally, you will need to get used to regular blood pressure checks. Your doctor may want you to come to the office regularly. Or you may be asked to check your blood pressure at home and keep track of your numbers for your doctor. Some pharmacies and retail clinics have blood pressure machines on site. You can buy your own, automated arm blood pressure cuff for use at home. Your doctor may want you to check your blood pressure several times a day. Another option is to use an ambulatory blood pressure monitor.

Your Blood Pressure Consists Of 2 Numbers:

The first number measures the force as your heart beats. This is called systolic pressure.

The second number measures the force as your heart relaxes. This is called diastolic pressure. Someone with a systolic pressure of 120 and a diastolic pressure of 80 has a blood pressure of 120/80, or 120 over 80.

An ideal blood pressure for an adult is less than 120/80. You have high blood pressure if your top number is 130 or higher, or your bottom number is 80 or higher, or both.

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What Should I Do If I Have High Blood Pressure

If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you and your healthcare provider will talk about your target blood pressure. Your provider may suggest that you:

  • Check your own blood pressure regularly with a home blood pressure monitor. These electronic monitors are available at most pharmacies or online.
  • Work on controlling anger and managing stress.

What Is Calcium Channel Blockers Medication

High blood pressure symptoms

Calcium channel blockers are drugs that reduce the movement of calcium into cells of the heart and vessels. This reduces the strength of heart contractions and relaxes the arteries, allowing them to remain more open, lowering blood pressure. Side effects of calcium channel blockers can include heart palpitations, dizziness, swollen ankles, and constipation. Calcium channel blockers can be taken alone or with other blood pressure medications. They should be taken with food or milk. Because of potential interactions, those taking calcium channel blockers should avoid alcohol and grapefruit juice.

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Add Healthy Foods To Your Diet

Slowly work your way up to eating more servings of heart-healthy plants. Aim to eat more than seven servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Then aim to add one more serving per day for two weeks. After those two weeks, aim to add one more serving. The goal is to have ten servings of fruits and vegetables per day.

Heart Attack And Heart Disease

High blood pressure can damage your arteries by making them less elastic, which decreases the flow of blood and oxygen to your heart and leads to heart disease. In addition, decreased blood flow to the heart can cause:

  • Chest pain, also called angina.
  • Heart attack, which happens when the blood supply to your heart is blocked and heart muscle begins to die without enough oxygen. The longer the blood flow is blocked, the greater the damage to the heart.
  • Heart failure, a condition that means your heart cant pump enough blood and oxygen to your other organs.

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Adopting A Cleaner Lifestyle

If youre a smoker, try to quit. The chemicals in tobacco smoke damage the bodys 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.

One of the easiest ways you can treat hypertension and prevent possible complications is through your diet. What you eat can go a long way toward easing or eliminating hypertension.

Here are some of the most common dietary recommendations for people with hypertension.

/6high Blood Pressure Is A Silent Killer

High Blood Pressure: Symptoms and treatment tips

What’s concerning about a high blood pressure is that it may come with no signs or symptoms. It is often referred to as a silent killer in the sense that there are no specific indicators of the disease.

According to the American Heart Association, “High blood pressure has no obvious symptoms to indicate that something is wrong.” “The best ways to protect yourself are being aware of the risks and making changes that matter,” they add.

While high blood pressure cannot be cured, with the help of certain lifestyle changes and medicines, it can be managed efficiently.

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What Are The Complications Of Uncontrolled Hypertension

  • Chest pain, also called angina.
  • Heart attack, which occurs when the blood supply to the heart is blocked and heart muscle cells die from lack of oxygen. The longer the blood flow is blocked, the greater the damage to the heart.
  • Heart failure, which occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood and oxygen to other vital body organs.
  • Irregular heart beat which can lead to a sudden death.

Checking Your Blood Pressure

The best way to find out if you have hypertension is by checking your blood pressure. This can be done at the doctors office, at home with a blood pressure monitor, or even by using a public blood pressure monitor, such as those found in shopping malls and pharmacies.

You should know your usual blood pressure. If you see a significant increase in this number the next time your blood pressure is checked, you should seek further evaluation from your healthcare provider.

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Blood Spots In The Eyes

When a blood vessel bursts in your eye and shows spots of blood, thats something called a subconjunctival hemorrhage. Its a fancy name for a usually harmless and very common issue that can be caused by something as simple as a strong sneeze. However, it can actually be caused by high blood pressure in rare cases, oftentimes in people who also have diabetes. Theyre usually harmless and disappear in a few days, but if youre concerned, you can always ask a doctor.

Upmc Central Pa Portal

6 Signs Of High Blood Pressure You Should Know About ...

UPMC Central Pa. Portal provides patients across the central Pennsylvania region with secure access to their health information. It is the fastest way to send a message to your doctor, refill prescriptions, get test results, and schedule and manage appointments, including video visits.

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What Are The Treatments For High Blood Pressure

Treatments for high blood pressure include heart-healthy lifestyle changes and medicines.

You will work with your provider to come up with a treatment plan. It may include only the lifestyle changes. These changes, such as heart-healthy eating and exercise, can be very effective. But sometimes the changes do not control or lower your high blood pressure. Then you may need to take medicine. There are different types of blood pressure medicines. Some people need to take more than one type.

If your high blood pressure is caused by another medical condition or medicine, treating that condition or stopping the medicine may lower your blood pressure.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

What Are The Main Causes Of High Blood Pressure

In most cases, doctors cant point to the exact cause of high blood pressure. However, several things are known to raise blood pressure, including:

  • Age: The risk for high blood pressure rises as you age. Through early middle age, high blood pressure is more common in men. Women are more likely to develop it after menopause.
  • Family history
  • Being overweight or obese: The more you weigh, the more blood you need to bring nutrients to your tissues. As the volume of blood goes up, so does the pressure against artery walls.
  • Not being physically active: Inactive people tend to have faster heart rates. That makes the force of blood against your arteries harder.
  • Using tobacco: Tobacco use immediately raises your blood pressure on a temporary basis. In addition, the chemicals in tobacco can damage the lining of your artery walls.
  • Too much salt
  • Too little vitamin D
  • Drinking too much alcohol
  • Stress: High levels of stress can lead to a temporary, but dramatic, rise in blood pressure.
  • Certain chronic conditions: Including high cholesterol, diabetes, kidney disease, and sleep apnea.

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What Are The Different Types Of Hypertension

Primary and secondary high blood pressure are the two main forms of the disease. Primary high blood pressure is the most common form, affecting 85% of people with hypertension. A combination of factorsfaulty genes, environmental factors, and othersbring on primary high blood pressure, also known as essential hypertension.

Secondary hypertension is a result, or secondary effect, of other primary medical conditions, such as kidney disease.

/6how To Lower Blood Pressure Levels

What are some of the symptoms of high blood pressure?

As per the American Heart Association , physical activity is key to keeping your blood pressure in check. Doing so maintains a healthy weight and also reduces your blood pressure levels, further lowering your risk of developing other cardiovascular diseases.

Other than that, following the right diet is extremely important. Limit your sugar and carb intake and keep a watch on the amount of calories you consume. Say no to excess sodium consumption and cut back on processed food.

Manage your stress levels with yoga and meditation and make sure you get sufficient sleep.

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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 youve started taking is causing increased blood pressure, your doctor will try other medicines that dont 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.

Many people go through a trial-and-error phase with blood pressure medications. You may need to try different medicines until you find one or a combination of medications that work for you.

Some of the medications used to treat hypertension include:

Healthy lifestyle changes can help you control the factors that cause hypertension. Here are some of the most common home remedies.

Stroke And Brain Problems

High blood pressure can cause the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the brain to burst or be blocked, causing a stroke. Brain cells die during a stroke because they do not get enough oxygen. Stroke can cause serious disabilities in speech, movement, and other basic activities. A stroke can also kill you.

Having high blood pressure, especially in midlife, is linked to having poorer cognitive function and dementia later in life. Learn more about the link between high blood pressure and dementia from the National Institutes of Healths Mind Your Risks®external icon campaign.

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What Is Ace Inhibitors Medication

ACE inhibitors are another class of antihypertensive drugs. They reduce the body’s levels of angiotensin II, a substance that narrows blood vessels. This means that arteries are more open and the blood pressure is lower. ACE inhibitors can be used alone, or with other medications such as diuretics. Side effects of ACE inhibitors can include skin rash, dry cough, dizziness, and elevated potassium levels. Women who are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding should not take ACE inhibitors.

High Blood Pressure Risks

Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure

Advancing age and a family history of heart disease increase your chances of developing high blood pressure. Other risks include eating an unhealthy diet that contains lots of salt, not exercising regularly, smoking, and drinking too much alcohol.

Obesity and diabetes also raise your risk of developing high blood pressure.

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Who Is Affected By High Blood Pressure

Approximately 1 in 3, more than 100 million, American adults have high blood pressure. But only half of those people have their condition under control. Many people develop high blood pressure when they are in their late 30s or early 40s, and it occurs more frequently as people age. However, because of the obesity epidemic, more and more children are also developing high blood pressure.

Prognosis Of High Blood Pressure

Untreated high blood pressure increases a person’s risk of developing heart disease , kidney failure, or stroke at an early age. High blood pressure is the most important risk factor for stroke. It is also one of the three most important risk factors for heart attack that a person can modify .

Treatment that lowers high blood pressure greatly decreases the risk of stroke and heart failure. Such treatment may also decrease the risk of a heart attack, although not as dramatically.

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What Do The Diastolic And Systolic Numbers Mean

How is blood pressure measured?

Blood pressure is measured with a blood pressure cuff and recorded as two numbers, for example, 120/80 mm Hg . Blood pressure measurements are usually taken at the upper arm over the brachial artery.

  • The top, the larger number is called the systolic pressure. This measures the pressure generated when the heart contracts . It reflects the pressure of the blood against arterial walls.
  • At the bottom, the smaller number is called the diastolic pressure. This reflects the pressure in the arteries while the heart is filling and resting between heartbeats.

Your Reading Is Above 140/90

HBP 041- What are the symptoms of High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure readings consist of two numbers. The top number is your systolic blood pressure and the bottom one is your diastolic blood pressure. Generally, a normal blood pressure reading was considered to be more than 120 over 80 and less than 140 over 90. However, in 2017, major heart health organisations around the globe unanimously decided to lower the blood pressure levels for the diagnosis of hypertension from the older threshold of 140/90 mm Hg and 150/80 mm Hg to 130/80 mm Hg and higher for all adults. Based on this new criteria, if your numbers are over 130/80 mm Hg then you should consult a doctor immediately or find ways to lower your blood pressure.

It is essential to keep tabs on your blood pressure, especially when you lead an unhealthy life or have a family history of hypertension. You can easily purchase a blood pressure monitor from your local pharmacy and drugstore to keep a check on your blood pressure. The readings are very accurate and similar to what you would get in a hospital.

Your blood pressure keeps changing constantly to adjust to your bodys activity level, hydration, sleep, food intake, and other factors. In order to get an accurate reading, you may need to take several readings of your blood pressure over time.

Pick a time when you are calm and well-hydrated, and repeat the test weekly or monthly under the same conditions. Write down the dates and readings so that you can take them with you on your next doctors visit.

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What Causes A Hypertension

Blood pressure is given as a reading of two numbers, such as 110/70. The higher number is the pressure when the heart beats. The diastolic, or lower number shows the pressure between the heartbeats, while the relaxed heart is refilling with blood. Normal blood pressure readings are lower than 120/80. The cause of most hypertension is unknown. Occasionally, conditions of the kidney or adrenal gland are the cause of high blood pressure.

There are several factors that may cause high blood pressure, but the exact cause is unknown. The following factors may increase one’s risk for high blood pressure:

  • Sleep apnea

Blood Pressure Is Mostly A Silent Disease

Unfortunately, high blood pressure can happen without feeling any abnormal symptoms.

Moderate or severe headaches, anxiety, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, palpitations, or feeling of pulsations in the neck are some signs of high blood pressure. Often, these are late signs that high blood pressure has existed for some time, therefore annual checks are recommended for all adults.

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What Is Considered High Blood Pressure For Older Adults

Recent updates to guidelines from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology changed the definition of high blood pressure or hypertension for most people. High blood pressure is now generally defined as 130 or higher for the first number, or 80 or higher for the second number . However, there are important considerations for older adults in deciding whether to start treatment for high blood pressure, including other health conditions and overall fitness. If your blood pressure is above 130/80, your doctor will evaluate your health to determine what treatment is needed to balance risks and benefits in your particular situation.

Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure Will Shocking You

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
  • Post author Scientific review: Dr Heben’s Team

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure sometime not felt by some one who had it. High blood pressure or commonly called as the hypertension. So, high blood pressure is the condition when the blood pressure higher than normal. A blood pressure that is less than 120/80 mmHg is considered normal. But, whenever youre having the blood pressure above 140/90, youre considered having the high blood pressure.

The common cause related the high blood pressure is still unclear at the moment. But, some medical conditions like kidney disease or heart disease could be the sign that youre having the high blood pressure.

High Blood Pressure Risk Factor

There are many risk factors related to the high blood pressure, the risk factors are divided by 2, which are the risk factor that you couldnt change and the risk factor that you can change.

The risk factor that you couldnt change:

  • Age: Older adult will be more likely to develop the high blood pressure.
  • Gender: Women over 65 years old will be more likely to develop the high blood pressure.
  • Race: African-American will be more likely to develop the high blood pressure.
  • Family History: People who have the family members that have the high blood pressure will be more likely to develop the high blood pressure.

The risk factor that you could change:

  • Being overweight
  • Consuming excess salt.

High Blood Pressure Symptoms

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