The Danger of High Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure (hypertension)

What is it?

High blood pressure (hypertension) is the most prevalent cardiac medical condition in the modern world. Its characteristic is elevated blood pressure in the arteries; 140/90 mmHg, or higher, is considered high blood pressure.

When we read 140/90, it means that when the heart contracts, the pressure in the arteries is 120 millimeters of mercury, and when it relaxes, the pressure is at 70 millimeters of mercury. The pressure that occurs when the heart contracts is called systolic, and when it expands, diastolic. The higher the pressure, the more damage it brings to the body.

What causes high blood pressure?

In most of the cases, the causes of high blood pressure are unknown; however, there are some factors associated with it.

Genetics – parents or/and grandparents with hypertension condition.

Smoking – nicotine contributes to the blockage of coronary arteries.

Obesity – increases risks of arterial tension, diabetes and decreases HDL (good cholesterol).

Stress - causes the release of adrenaline forcing the heart to work harder.

Sedentary lifestyle – exercises tend to lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and increases HDL, it also strengthen the heart and improves its efficiency.

High consumption of salt – it increases the volume of blood circulating in the arteries; high volume of blood raises blood pressure.

High consumption of alcohol – it may cause functional and structural alteration of the heart and arteries.

Kidney disease – diseased kidney have less ability to regulate blood pressure, resulting in an increase of blood pressure.

Damages caused by high blood pressure

Hypertension is a chronic disease. Its effects are usually noticed after many years. The main reason to worry about it is the fact that high blood pressure is the cause of the most fatal diseases. High blood pressure increases the chance of a heart attack, stroke and irreversible damage to the retina. It can also cause osteoporosis; high blood pressure causes an elevation of the amount of calcium excreted in the urine, which in its turn leads to a loss of bone mineral.

Feet and legs may also be affected: difficulty of blood circulation in the legs and feet can cause a disease called peripheral vascular. People with such a disease often suffer with leg pain, uncomfortable numbness, wounds in the feet and legs, and also experience difficulty walking.

Symptoms of high blood pressure

Generally, hypertension is a disease that has no clearly identifiable or alarming symptoms. This is what makes it dangerous and harmful. Many people ignore suffering from hypertension! It is estimated that this number rises to one third of those affected.

It is advisable to let your blood pressure be checked regularly. Sometimes, those suffering from severe hypertension, show symptoms that can be more easily identified, e.g., headaches, eye problems, dizziness, fatigue, restlessness, buzzing sound in the ears, nose bleeding and palpitations.

High blood pressure, more than a condition, it is a disease.

Hypertension is a disease! Even if you do not feel anything, if your pressure is high, you are sick and need treatment. Never face high blood pressure as a feature of your body.

It is important that you recognize your own personal risk factors. Although you can not change some them, such as genetics or age, you certainly control and/or change other important risk factors such as weight, smoking habits, and diet, among others, that will effectively reduces the risk of becoming a high blood pressure patient.

Always ask your doctor to check your blood pressure and for an exact diagnosis of any of the symptoms.