What is it

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a common condition affecting one in three American adults, where the blood pressure against the wall of the arteries is higher than normal. This can cause the arteries to rupture or get damaged and can also lead to damage to other organs. The normal blood pressure is less than 120 / 80 mmHg. The blood pressure reading consists of two numbers systolic and diastolic pressure. Systolic is the pressure on the arteries when the heart beats while diastolic pressure is the pressure on the arteries between those heartbeats.

“Strokes are also basically of two types, Ischemic stroke caused by a clot, or Hemorrhagic stroke caused due to the rupture of the arteries.”

As the heart beats it increases the pressure with which the blood flows in the arteries, as it relaxes the pressure also goes down. When the pressure is high the force exerted by the blood on the artery walls is also high. The pressure may cause the walls to stretch and weaken leading to rupture. The damage to the walls also causes more plaque to be built on the walls leading to the narrowing of the arteries which causes the organs to not get enough blood and ultimately can lead to heart attacks or strokes. Strokes are also basically of two types, Ischemic stroke caused by a clot, or Hemorrhagic stroke caused due to the rupture of the arteries. There are two stages of hypertension Stage 1 is when the systolic pressure is between 130 and 139 and diastolic between 80 and 89. The next stage is Stage 2 when the systolic pressure goes over 140 and diastolic over 90. High pressure in the blood can lead to heart disease, stroke, or other organ failures.

Risk factors, causes, and symptoms.

Weight is the biggest factor; obesity increases the risk factor for hypertension. Age also has an impact, being more common in older adults. Certain races like Africans or Asians are also more susceptible to it. The diet also plays into it, the more we eat salt i:e a high salt diet increases the risk factors.

“The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is what regulates blood pressure inside our body.”

Genetics also has an impact; a family history of hypertension will increase the risk factors for the person. Genetics affects the way the body regulates the pressure or its response to the other risk factors like how it may react to the usage of salt inside the body. RAAS system of hormones or The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is what regulates blood pressure inside our body. Stress is another factor besides alcohol and smoking. Primary or essential hypertension has no known causes while secondary is a result of some underlying medical condition like thyroid, diabetes, etc.

Hypertension as such doesn’t have any direct symptoms itself but does have some secondary ones which can indicate it. If you experience dizziness, headaches, or blurred vision it could be because of high blood pressure. Chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue could be others. You may also get blood in the urine or nose bleed due to it. However, it can only be diagnosed by measuring it through a machine.

“Limiting the usage of salt, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol intake also have an effect. Limiting or eliminating stress in life will also reduce the risk.”

As with the no direct symptoms, there is no direct solution to lower it except through some medications. The other ways take a little bit more time and effort on the part of the person by making lifestyle changes. Lowering weight has a direct bearing on it which can be done through the restriction of calories one consumes with specific things like intermittent fasting or through exercise. Limiting the usage of salt, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol intake also have an effect. Limiting or eliminating stress in life will also reduce the risk. If lifestyle changes are not enough, which should be the first course of action unless specified by the doctor then medications will have to be taken to lower it temporarily or permanently.

Why does our blood pressure increase?

Narrowed arteries can lead to hypertension as the narrowing of them will make it harder for the blood to flow through them making it necessary for it to flow with more pressure to compensate for it. People with high blood pressure are also seen to have more blood volume than a normal person. The extra blood leads to more pressure on the arteries. There can also be more resistance to the blood flow, the resistance increases the pressure on the arteries. Lastly, the heart rate may increase leading to more blood being pumped and increasing the blood pressure.

“Beta-blockers block the effect of the adrenaline hormone on the blood vessel causing the heart to beat more slowly lowering the blood pressure. ACE inhibitors block the formation of certain hormones called angiotensin II (these hormones cause the blood vessels to narrow).”

Anxiety can also lead to high blood pressure along with the composition of our brain chemicals. Norepinephrine and epinephrine are released because of stress, which can reduce the blood vessels and in turn, raise the pressure. Dehydration, that is drinking less water can also lead to an increase in blood pressure. If the lifestyle changes do not lower the blood pressure, then medications like diuretics cause the kidneys to excrete more water flushing the excess salt in the body. Beta-blockers block the effect of the adrenaline hormone on the blood vessel causing the heart to beat more slowly lowering the blood pressure. ACE inhibitors block the formation of certain hormones called angiotensin II (these hormones cause the blood vessels to narrow). ACE inhibitors allow the blood vessels to relax and widen lowering the risk. Any of these other medications like calcium channel blockers or ARBs (Angiotensin receptor blockers). can be used. All these medications have their own side effects so medical advice is paramount in their usage.