High blood pressure is a scary thing. You may never know you have it till it's too late and your body starts to shut down. High blood pressure cannot be detected as it does not have any symptoms unless it is severe. That is why healthcare professionals urge you to show up for regular checkups. Blood pressure can also be monitored at home.
What is High Blood Pressure?
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is when your blood pressure crosses unhealthy levels. Blood pressure measurement is used to measure the amount of blood passing through the blood vessels and the resistance the blood meets when the heart is pumping.
Your blood pressure will be high if your arteries are narrow. In the long-term, increased blood pressure can lead to severe issues, including heart complications. Hypertension does not develop in one day. In fact, it can take years. Hence, even though you will not notice any immediate symptoms, high blood pressure is slowly and continuously damaging your blood vessels and organs, including the heart, brain, eyes, and kidneys.
It is crucial to detect high blood pressure early on. Hence, make sure to pay attention to regular blood pressure readings. Treatment usually includes prescription medication, as well as lifestyle changes. If not paid attention to, high blood pressure can also result in a heart attack and stroke.
Signs of High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a silent killer. Most people will not notice or experience any symptoms. Since it takes years and decades for the condition to reach dangerous levels, the symptoms may not become evident till it's too late.
Some symbols of hypertension may include:
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Nosebleeds
- Flushing
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
- Visual changes
- Blood in the urine
- Trouble sleeping
- Irregular heartbeat
- Vision issues
- Pounding in ears
- Blood spots in the eyes
Causes of High Blood Pressure
There are two main types of hypertension that have their own set of causes.
1. Primary Hypertension
Also known as essential hypertension, this type of blood pressure develops overtime without any particular reason. Hence, it is the most common type of high blood pressure that most people experience.
Even though science is still unclear about what exactly causes primary hypertension, a few factors may include:
- Genes- Some people may be more prone to high blood pressure genetically. This could be from gene mutations or genetic abnormalities that were adopted from parents.
- Physical changes- When there is a change in the body, you may start to experience high blood pressure. Research believes that old age slows down the kidney function, causing a shift in the body’s natural balance of salts and fluids. This may cause the body’s blood pressure levels to rise.
- Environment- An unhealthy lifestyle is the cause of many illnesses. A lack of physical activity and poor diet can slow down the body's functioning. Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood of experiencing high blood pressure.
2. Secondary Hypertension
Known to be more severe than primary hypertension, secondary hypertension develops quickly. It can be caused by the following conditions:
- Kidney disease
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Congenital heart defects
- Thyroid problems
- Medication side effects
- Prolonged use of drugs
- Alcohol abuse
- Adrenal gland issues
- Endocrine tumours
A Smart Solution
To monitor your blood pressure in an ever-busy world, it is important to switch to smarter options. After all, being busy is no excuse to compromise your health. Opt for a wireless health device that you can link to your smartphone, and switch to modern methods of healthcare.
Call ihealthlabs today for more information! Now, you can calculate your health data, track your results, and share them with your health professional.