Hypertension or high blood pressure is the force the heart must use in order to push blood through the bodies veins and arteries. There are two distinct blood pressures; the first is the systolic pressure which pumps the blood through the arteries. The second, called diastolic pressure is the force of the pressure between vessels and beats of the heart. In a normal healthy body, the blood pressure is usually 120/80.
In primary hypertension, symptoms of high blood pressure are rarely noticeable. When symptoms do exist, however, they are mild and nonspecific. Hence the name, ‘silent killer. Hypertensive crisis occurs when blood pressure suddenly escalates and can progress to complications such as, stroke or heart attack, that can be fatal.
Common symptoms of people with high blood pressure include, fatigue, shortness of breath, headache and dizziness. For many patients, headaches are a common complaint; however blood pressure medication does not remedy this problem. These headaches are caused by an increase in blood flow through the vessels in the brain. Over the counter medications do not have an effect on these types of headaches either. Typically, the pain is located behind the eyes, pulsating and manifesting in the early morning hours. This increased blood flow causes the heart to pump more blood than is necessary, thus resulting in white spots, blindness and heart palpitations.
Many people go for years without realizing they have high blood pressure. Of those with this disease, about 1% have malignant hypertension which requires immediate medical assistance as it can lead to heart attack or stroke. If gone undetected, high blood pressure can cause permanent damage to the heart, eyes and kidneys as well as lead to the onset of angina pain. To prevent or gain control of high blood pressure, patients need to seek the care of a medical professional as well as create a healthy lifestyle consisting of exercise and a healthy diet containing, fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy and wholegrain.
Another common factor that can result in high blood pressure is stress. The affects of stress will happen to anyone whether they have high blood pressure or not. The key is to manage and control the stress you allow yourself to be exposed too. In life, there are some stresses we must live and some we can toss away.
People who are overweight run a greater risk of obtaining high blood pressure. In order to prevent or manage this, it is recommended that patients maintain a healthy weight for their frame and height. Other contributing factors include smoking and drinking alcohol. These common past times can have long term adverse affects on the body. Making healthy, wise choices can ensure a long and happy life.
