Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure.
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing up against the blood vessel walls. The higher the pressure, the harder the heart has to pump.
The normal level for blood pressure is within the range of 100-139mmhg for the systolic measurement (Peak Pressure in the arteries) and 60-90mmhg for the diastolic measurement (Minimum Pressure in the arteries).
Hypertension has been therefore defined as consistently elevated blood pressure exceeding 140/90mmmhg.
DIAGNOSIS OF HYPERTENSION
The diagnosis of hypertension is made by measuring the blood pressure at least twice, 4 hours apart after resting for at least 5minutes. Substances like caffeine and Nicotine should not have been taking recently else they’ll distort the blood pressure and give a false reading.
SYMPTOMS OF HYPERTENSION
Hypertension is a silent killer; this is because it often causes no symptoms for many years even decades until it finally damages certain vital organs. For this reason, it is advisable to undergo periodic blood pressure screenings even when no symptoms are present. However extreme increased blood pressure may lead to severe symptoms which includes
Severe headache
Fatigue or confusion
Dizziness
Nausea
Problems with vision
Chest pains
Breathing problems
Irregular heartbeats
Blood in urine
CAUSES OF HYPERTENSION
Though the exact causes are usually unknown, several factors that have been highly associated with the condition includes
Smoking and alcohol consumption
Obesity or being overweight
Diabetes
Sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity
High levels of salt intake
Insufficient calcium, potassium and magnesium consumption
Vitamin D deficiency
Stress
Aging
Drugs/medicines such as birth control pills (contraceptives)
Genetics and family history
COMPLICATIONS OF HYPERTENSION
Hypertension is a major problem because over a period of time, raised BP can cause gradual damage to many organs in the body which can be serious and irreversible. Some of the damages include
Stroke
Myocardial infarction(heart attack)
Heart failure
Aneurysms of arteries
Chronic kidney disease
Damage to blood vessels in eye
PREVENTION OF HYPERTENSION
Hypertension can be prevented by adjusting one’s lifestyle so that proper diet and exercise are key components.
Maintaining a normal body weight for adults (BMI of 20-25kg/m2)
Reduce salt intake to less than 100mmol/day (less than 6g of sodium chloride intake)
Reduce alcohol intake
Reduce stress
Engage in regular exercise
Diet rich in vegetable and fruits.
In order to prevent damage to critical organs and condition such as stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure that may be caused by high blood pressure, it is important to go for checkups, diagnose, treat and control hypertension at its early stages.
TREATMENT OF HYPERTENSION
The goal of treatment is to bring the blood pressure below 140/90 in general population and to even lower levels in diabetics.
The first line of treatment is identical to the above recommended preventive measures. These preventive measures have shown to significantly reduce blood pressure in people with hypertension. Should these measures fail, then the use of anti-hypertensive drugs would be relevant as prescribed by a physician.
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing up against the blood vessel walls. The higher the pressure, the harder the heart has to pump.
The normal level for blood pressure is within the range of 100-139mmhg for the systolic measurement (Peak Pressure in the arteries) and 60-90mmhg for the diastolic measurement (Minimum Pressure in the arteries).
Hypertension has been therefore defined as consistently elevated blood pressure exceeding 140/90mmmhg.
DIAGNOSIS OF HYPERTENSION
The diagnosis of hypertension is made by measuring the blood pressure at least twice, 4 hours apart after resting for at least 5minutes. Substances like caffeine and Nicotine should not have been taking recently else they’ll distort the blood pressure and give a false reading.
SYMPTOMS OF HYPERTENSION
Hypertension is a silent killer; this is because it often causes no symptoms for many years even decades until it finally damages certain vital organs. For this reason, it is advisable to undergo periodic blood pressure screenings even when no symptoms are present. However extreme increased blood pressure may lead to severe symptoms which includes
Severe headache
Fatigue or confusion
Dizziness
Nausea
Problems with vision
Chest pains
Breathing problems
Irregular heartbeats
Blood in urine
CAUSES OF HYPERTENSION
Though the exact causes are usually unknown, several factors that have been highly associated with the condition includes
Smoking and alcohol consumption
Obesity or being overweight
Diabetes
Sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity
High levels of salt intake
Insufficient calcium, potassium and magnesium consumption
Vitamin D deficiency
Stress
Aging
Drugs/medicines such as birth control pills (contraceptives)
Genetics and family history
COMPLICATIONS OF HYPERTENSION
Hypertension is a major problem because over a period of time, raised BP can cause gradual damage to many organs in the body which can be serious and irreversible. Some of the damages include
Stroke
Myocardial infarction(heart attack)
Heart failure
Aneurysms of arteries
Chronic kidney disease
Damage to blood vessels in eye
PREVENTION OF HYPERTENSION
Hypertension can be prevented by adjusting one’s lifestyle so that proper diet and exercise are key components.
Maintaining a normal body weight for adults (BMI of 20-25kg/m2)
Reduce salt intake to less than 100mmol/day (less than 6g of sodium chloride intake)
Reduce alcohol intake
Reduce stress
Engage in regular exercise
Diet rich in vegetable and fruits.
In order to prevent damage to critical organs and condition such as stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure that may be caused by high blood pressure, it is important to go for checkups, diagnose, treat and control hypertension at its early stages.
TREATMENT OF HYPERTENSION
The goal of treatment is to bring the blood pressure below 140/90 in general population and to even lower levels in diabetics.
The first line of treatment is identical to the above recommended preventive measures. These preventive measures have shown to significantly reduce blood pressure in people with hypertension. Should these measures fail, then the use of anti-hypertensive drugs would be relevant as prescribed by a physician.
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