Causes and Symptoms
The most effective techniques to manage and prevent high blood pressure include regular participation in physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, control of a balanced diet, and constant monitoring of blood pressure.
Constant measurement of blood pressure makes it easy to monitor and adopt healthy behaviors if hypertension is present or recently detected, since symptoms are usually not present. It also avoids severe conditions that can develop from chronic hypertension such as;
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Heart attacks
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Heart failure
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Stroke
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Kidney failure
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Angina (chest pain)
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Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
Management
What is Hypertension?
Hypertension is normally a symptomless condition and is often referred to as the "silent killer". When left untreated, it can cause significant damage to arteries and vital organs.
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Medical conditions that increase an individual’s risk for high blood pressure include Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, Kidney Disease, Lupus, Scleroderma, and Hormone related conditions.
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Too High for Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is denoted by two figures, systolic blood pressure over diastolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure is the pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts, while diastolic blood pressure is the pressure in the arteries as the heart relaxes.
A normal blood pressure reading should be below 120/80 mmHg. Any reading above 120/80 mmHg is a sign of increased blood pressure and is referred to as pre-hypertensive, and any reading above 140/90 mmHg is referred to as hypertensive. Normally, blood pressure is elevated when people are stressed or during exercise.
Hypertension
What is hypertension?
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the pumping of blood with constant excess pressure and is detected from a reading above 140/90 mmHg.
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How to Monitor Blood Pressure at Home
References:
American Heart Association staff. (2016). The facts about high blood pressure. American Heart Association. Retrieved from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/AboutHighBloodPressure/The-Facts-About-High-Blood-Pressure_UCM_002050_Article.jsp#.WCnaTavGLww
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National Heart Foundation of Australia staff. (2016). Guide to management of hypertension. National Heart Foundation of Australia. Retrieved from https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/images/uploads/publications/HypertensionGuidelines2008to2010Update.pdf
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World Health Organization staff. (2013). A global brief on hypertension; silent killer, global public health crisis. World Health Organization. Retrieved from http://ish-world.com/downloads/pdf/global_brief_hypertension.pdf
​Unhealthy lifestyles that increase risks include;
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High salt consumptions
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Potassium deficiencies
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Sedentary lifestyle (lack of physical activity)
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Obesity
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Tobacco smoking
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High alcohol consumption
These lifestyle choices combined with an individual's genetic make-up determines overall risk.
Risk factors of hypertension include advanced age, lifestyle habits, preexisting medical conditions (such as diabetes), and genetic makeup.
The greatest risk factor contributing to development of hypertension are lifestyle habits because they are controllable.
1 in 5 people with high blood pressure are unaware of the problem and never experience symptoms. However, if you experience a severe headache, facial flushing, dizziness, or severe anxiety, you may be at
risk of hypertension and diagnosis should be made by a health care professional.