What is hypertension?

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is the most common cardiovascular disease. High blood pressure can threaten healthy arteries and lead to life-threatening conditions such as heart disease and stroke. Hypertension is the leading cause of stroke and a major cause of heart attack.

How do I know if I have hypertension?

The first step is to have your blood pressure checked regularly. People with blood pressure readings of 140/90 or higher, taken on at least 2 occasions, are said to have high blood pressure. If the pressure remains high, your doctor will probably begin treatment.

People with blood pressure readings of 200/120 or higher need treatment immediately. People with diabetes are treated if their blood pressure rises above 130/80, since they already have a high risk of heart disease.

What are the symptoms?

One of the most dangerous aspects of hypertension is that you may not know that you have it. It is often called "the silent killer" because it rarely causes symptoms, even as it inflicts serious damage to the body. If your blood pressure is extremely high, there may be certain symptoms to look out for, including:

¨ Severe headache

¨ Fatigue or confusion

¨ Vision problems

¨ Chest pain

¨ Difficulty breathing

¨ Irregular heartbeat

¨ Blood in the urine

¨ Pounding in your chest, neck, or ears

What are the health complications?

Some of the most serious health problems related to untreated high blood pressure are:

¨ Atherosclerosis which contributes to coronary artery disease

¨ Stroke

¨ Heart disease

¨ Kidney disease

¨ Eye disorder

¨ Diabetes

¨ Preeclampsia – a pregnancy related problem

¨ Erectile dysfunction

Care and treatment

Treatment for hypertension comes in many forms – from lifestyle changes to medication.

Smoking – Kick the habit

Did you know that people who smoke are more likely to develop hypertension and heart disease? The nicotine present in tobacco products causes decreased oxygen to the heart, increased blood pressure and heart rate, increase in blood clotting and damage to cells that line coronary arteries and other blood vessels.

Healthy diet

High blood pressure is more common in people who are overweight or obese. By changing a few simple dietary habits, including counting calories and watching portion sizes to boost weight loss, you may be able to lower your blood pressure.

Many foods and dietary factors affect blood pressure. Studies show a high-sodium diet increases blood pressure in some people. In fact, some studies show that the less sodium you consume, the better blood pressure control you might have.

Findings also show that potassium, magnesium, and fiber may also affect blood pressure. Fruits and vegetables are high in potassium, magnesium, and fiber and low in sodium.

Stress

Stress can lead to emotional, psychological, and even physical problems, including coronary artery disease and high blood pressure.

Follow-up

The most important element in managing high blood pressure is follow-up care. Make sure you get regular check up with your doctor.