High Blood Pressure - Causes, Symptoms and Preventive Measures

According to American Heart Association, high blood pressure (medically known ‘Hypertension’) means systolic blood pressure is consistent at 140 or over 140 or diastolic blood pressure is consistent at 90 (140/90 mmHg). High Blood Pressure is a serious problem because people with this condition have a higher risk for heart disease and other medical problems than people with normal blood pressure. If left untreated, high blood
pressure can lead to a number of medical conditions and complexities, including: heart attack, stroke, paralysis, enlarged heart, kidney damage and vision loss.

Causes

In the majority of cases, causes are obscure, but it is usually caused by:

•       Family history of high blood pressure (hereditary),
•       Kidney disorder, blood pressure diseases,
•       Disorders of the thyroid or other glands,
•       Heavy alcohol consumption and excessive smoking,
•       Overweight, nervous tension excitements,
•       Emotional stress and sedentary life,
•       Excess salt consumption and high sodium level in serum (sensitivity to table salt),
•       Lack of proper exercise and physical work.
•       Use of oral contraceptives (birth control pills).

Signs and symptoms

High blood pressure is a major health problem, especially because it has no symptoms. Many people have high blood pressure without knowing it and thus it is known as a ‘silent killer’. There is no single point at which a person is said to have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is characterized by:

•       Sub-occipital, headache, nausea, vomiting,
•       Shortness of breath, significant sweating,
•       Easy fatigability and palpitation,
•       Blurred vision and confusion,
•       Rise of diastolic and systolic pressure,
•       Chest pain,
•       Irregular heart beat,
•       Ear noise or buzzing,
•       Blood in urine, nose bleeding,
•       Emotional and loose temperament,
•       Unconsciousness and hemorrhages,
•       Paralysis and swelling of body organs.

Prevention and Control

Some risk factors of high blood pressure cannot be eliminated.  But many risk factors can be prevented or reduced. The following measures should be adopted for the prevention and control of high blood pressure:

• Lifestyle changes may help control high blood pressure, 
•  Reduce overweight,
•   Eat balanced diet and adjust your diet as needed, 
•  Reduce salt intake, 
•  Reduce fat intake,
•  Quit smoking,
•  Reduce alcohol consumption,
• Begin a programme of regular physical exercise,
•   Checking of blood pressure at regular intervals,
• Learn to manage personal, family, occupational and social stress, 
• Proper medication according to the doctor’s suggestion.

Stay safe and free of diseases!!