What is Hypertension?

Hypertension is blood pressure thatvis higher than normal. If you have high blood pressure, the force of the blood pushing against your artery walls is too high thereby overworking the heart.

Usually, hypertension does not have warning signs or symptoms hence many individuals end up with undetected hypertension. 

It is important to do occasional checks since measuring your blood pressure is the only way to know if you have hypertension. 

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Generally, hypertension is a blood pressure reading of 130/80 mm Hg or higher.

According to the  American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association, blood pressure level can be categorized into four: 

  • Normal blood pressure. Blood pressure is lower than 120/80 mm Hg.
  • Elevated blood pressure. The systolic blood pressure (top number) ranges from 120 to 129 mm Hg and the diastolic pressure (bottom number) is below, not above, 80 mm Hg. This is also known as prehypertension which indicates a risk for developing hypertension.
  • Stage 1 hypertension. The systolic pressure ranges from 130 to 139 mm Hg or the diastolic pressire between 80 and 89 mm Hg.
  • Stage 2 hypertension. The systolic pressure  is 140mm Hg or higher or the diastolic pressure is 90 mm Hg or higher.

Blood pressure higher than 180/120 mm Hg is considered a hypertensive emergency or crisis which requires emergency medical help.

In hypertensive emergency, the individual may show signs and symptoms such as: 

  • Severe headache 
  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty breathing 
  • Dizziness 
  • Nose bleeding 
  • Abnormal heart rhythm 
  • Blurred vision

Untreated, high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and other serious health problems.

Therefore, screening for about once every year or once every two years can be very helpful.

People at higher risk of hypertension usually require more frequent checks (atleast once every year).

Risk Factors for Hypertension 

●Age. Hypertension is more common in older individuals over 65years of age. 

●Obesity and overweight 

●Family history 

●Lack of exercise 

●Chronic illnesses i.e Diabetes and kidney disease.

●Tobacco use /smoking

●Alcohol Consumption 

●Low potassium levels mostly arising from inadequate potassium in diet or dehydration. 

●High sodium levels from high salt diet.

●Pregnancy.

●Race. There have been higher numbers among blacks associated with the higher risk for chronic conditions such as diabetes.

Common Causes

•High blood pressure develops over time. 

•It can arise from lifestyle habits such as lack of exercise or sedentary lifestyle. 

•Chronic conditions such as diabetes and Kidney disease also cause hypertension. 

•It can also be caused by biological conditions such as pregnancy.