Introduction to Hypertension

Hypertension- Causes and Symptoms of Hypertension  

Hypertension, also called High Blood Pressure, is a condition in which the blood pressure in either arteries or veins is abnormally high. Hypertension is one the major causes of death and disability in the world. Hypertension is known as "Silent Killer" because it may be present for years with no perceptible symptoms.

All about Hypertension - Causes and Symptoms of Hypertension

High blood pressure is not only a serious condition by itself, but it is also the leading cause of heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure. Severe and immediately life-threatening hypertension is called Malignant hypertension and usually requires hospitalization and acute medical care.

The measurement of blood pressure is written as two numbers. The normal blood pressure reading is systolic 120 over diastolic 80 represented as 120/80 mm of Hg. Blood pressure above this range is considered to be high and should be viewed seriously. The best way to prevent hypertension is to undergo regular blood pressure checks and take treatments in case the pressure level is high.

What causes hypertension or high blood pressure?

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Hypertension can be classified as essential hypertension and secondary hypertension.
Essential hypertension or idiopathic hypertension is the most common form of hypertension, which occurs in almost 90 percent of cases. The causes of essential hyper tension is unknown, however, medical studies and research have identified some factors which cause hypertension. Some of these factors are unhealthy dietary habits, tension, stress, insufficient rest, smoking, excessive consumption of liquors, obesity, metabolic disorders, excessive consumption of tea and coffee etc...
Secondary hypertension is the result of a specific disease, disorder, or other condition. A hypertension within the renal arteries causes renal hypertension and it affects the entire circulatory system.
Another cause of secondary hypertension is Cushing's syndrome or aldosteronism, a metabolic disorder caused by overproduction of corticosteroid hormones by the adrenal cortex and often resulting in obesity and high blood pressure.
Other causes of secondary hypertension are excess hormone secretion resulting from pheochromocytoma, excess secretion of hormones by pituitary tumors, coarctation (congenital narrowing of a short section of the aorta), pregnancy, use of oral contraceptives etc. Treating the underlying condition or cause relieves secondary hypertension.
In general the major causes of hypertension are the following:

• Hectic and stress filled life style
• Unhealthy food habits
• Obesity
• Excessive consumption of liquors
• Smoking
• Over consumption of tea/coffee
• Insufficient rest and sleep
• Metabolic disorders
• Hardening of the arteries
• Excessive use of pain killers and other strong medicines
• Genetic disorders
• Over consumption of oily food and fast food
• High salt intake
• Emotional and Physical stress
• Family history of hypertension

Symptoms of Hypertension

As mentioned earlier, hypertension is not a disease, but it is a symptom in itself. In most cases, hypertension produces no symptoms until dangerous complications occur.
However there are some known symptoms of hypertension, which a person with hypertension may experience now and then.

• Headaches - Headaches may be experienced due to elevation in blood pressure. Sometimes morning headaches can also be due to hypertension.
• Dizziness - Dizziness is often experience by people with high blood pressure. However dizziness cannot always be treated as a symptom of hypertension. If dizziness is experienced it is always wise to consult a medical practitioner.
• Heart pain
• Palpitations
• Nosebleeds - Nosebleeds without particular reason might be a symptom of high blood pressure. It is better to check the blood pressure in such cases.
• Difficulty in breathing
• Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears)
• Blurred Vision
• Frequent urination

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Signs and tests

Your health care provider will check your blood pressure several times before diagnosing you with high blood pressure. It is normal for your blood pressure to be different depending on the time of day.

Blood pressure readings taken at home may be a better measure of your current blood pressure than those taken at your doctor's office. Make sure you get a good quality, well-fitting home device. It should have the proper sized cuff and a digital readout.

Practice with your health care provider or nurse to make sure you are taking your blood pressure correctly. See also: Blood pressure monitors for home

Your doctor will perform a physical exam to look for signs of heart disease, damage to the eyes, and other changes in your body.

Tests may be done to look for:

High cholesterol levels

Heart disease, such as an echocardiogram or electrocardiogram

Kidney disease, such as a basic metabolic panel and urinalysis or ultrasound of the kidneys

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to reduce blood pressure so that you have a lower risk of complications. You and your health care provider should set a blood pressure goal for you.

If you have pre-hypertension, your health care provider will recommend lifestyle changes to bring your blood pressure down to a normal range. Medicines are rarely used for pre-hypertension.

You can do many things to help control your blood pressure, including:

Eat a heart-healthy diet, including potassium and fiber, and drink plenty of water. See: High blood pressure and diet

Exercise regularly -- at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day.

If you smoke, quit -- find a program that will help you stop.

Limit how much alcohol you drink -- one drink a day for women, two a day for men.

Limit the amount of sodium (salt) you eat -- aim for less than 1,500 mg per day.

Reduce stress -- try to avoid things that cause you stress. You can also try meditation or yoga.

Stay at a healthy body weight -- find a weight-loss program to help you, if you need it.

Your health care provider can help you find programs for losing weight, stopping smoking, and exercising. You can also get a referral from your doctor to a dietitian, who can help you plan a diet that is healthy for you.

There are many different medicines that can be used to treat high blood pressure. See: High blood pressure medicines

Often, a single blood pressure drug may not be enough to control your blood pressure, and you may need to take two or more drugs. It is very important that you take the medications prescribed to you. If you have side effects, your health care provider can substitute a different medication.

Expectations (prognosis)

Most of the time, high blood pressure can be controlled with medicine and lifestyle changes.

Complications

When blood pressure is not well controlled, you are at risk for:

Bleeding from the aorta, the large blood vessel that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs

Chronic kidney disease

Heart attack and heart failure

Poor blood supply to the legs

Stroke

Problems with your vision

Calling your health care provider

If you have high blood pressure, you will have regular appointments with your doctor.

Even if you have not been diagnosed with high blood pressure, it is important to have your blood pressure checked during your yearly check-up, especially if someone in your family has or had high blood pressure.

Call your health care provider right away if home monitoring shows that your blood pressure is still high.

Prevention

Adults over 18 should have their blood pressure checked regularly.

Lifestyle changes may help control your blood pressure.

Follow your health care provider's recommendations to modify, treat, or control possible causes of high blood pressure.

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