What is high blood pressure?

Arteries carry blood from the heart to all parts of the body. Each heartbeat pumps blood into them. The force that moves blood within the walls of the arteries is called blood pressure. High blood pressure (hypertension) is a disease in which the force of the blood’s movement through the arteries is too high.

Understanding Blood Pressure Numbers

A blood pressure meter (sphygmomanometer) is the instrument used to measure blood pressure. The blood pressure meter measures two factors: – 

1. Systolic blood pressure is the pressure measurement in the arteries when the heart beats to pump blood into them. Systolic pressure is the first or top number of the blood pressure reading, which you will see below.
2. Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure measurement of the blood in the walls of the arteries when the heart rests between beats; this is the last or bottom number in the pressure reading.

The blood pressure recording format is systolic pressure over diastolic blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is 120/80. Blood pressure between 130 and 139 top reading and between 80 and 89 bottom reading indicates early-stage high blood pressure (hypertension). Advanced hypertension is 140/90 or higher.

Signs and Symptoms

High blood pressure is called the silent killer because it may not have any signs or symptoms until it becomes extremely severe. Extremely severe blood pressure may cause difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, fatigue, terrible headaches, chest pain, and blurred vision. These signs and symptoms indicate an emergency.

You must check your blood pressure regularly. High blood pressure can lead to heart problems, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and death.

What are the Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure?

Some factors make one person more susceptible to high blood pressure than another. Some of these factors are preventable, such as smoking and diet. Other risk factors are not preventable, such as age and ethnicity. Some of the risk factors for getting high blood pressure: –

• Age: Men over 45 years and women over 55 years old are more at risk for hypertension.
• Ethnicity: African Americans, statistically, have been shown to suffer from this disease more commonly than other races.
• Family History and Genetics: Not only do family members share genetic traits, but they may also share lifestyle habits, for example, smoking and eating unhealthily. These habits may cause them to be susceptible to a particular disease.
• Weight: Obesity increases the risk of hypertension. Excess fat pressing around the blood vessels causes the heart to pump harder, increasing blood pressure.
• Unhealthy Diet: A diet rich in salt and low in potassium can lead to high blood pressure.
• Drinking alcohol in excess can also lead to high blood pressure.
• Smoking: Smoking tobacco and cigarettes reduces the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream, creating the risk of high blood pressure.
• Physical Inactivity: Regular physical exercise helps to maintain healthy blood flow. A sedentary lifestyle elevates your chance of getting high blood pressure.

Tips for Managing High Blood Pressure

To reverse or alleviate hypertension, you can change habits from the list above that represent your lifestyle. You cannot change your age or ethnicity, but you can adopt lifestyle habits, such as: –

• Give up smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages.
• Reduce salt intake.
• If you are overweight, make an effort to lose weight.
• Eat healthily. A plant-based diet may reduce hypertension.
• If you have a sedentary job or lifestyle, start an exercise routine. You can do morning or evening brisk walking or jogging.
• Get the help necessary to reduce the stress factors in your life.
• Visit your doctor.