Blood Pressure Hypertension Home

The purpose of this site is to educate you about blood pressure and hypertension. You will find information on what these conditions actually are, and how to diagnose, treat and cure blood pressure and/or hypertension.

Causes and Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure is defined as the force of the blood that pushes against the walls of the blood vessel. If blood pressure is high, it means the heart is pumping blood harder, which leads to the hardening and constricting of the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis. Hypertension - formally known as “Arterial Hypertension”, is a type of disease that is characterized by high blood pressure in the arteries.

There are several different categories of blood pressure and they are the following:

  • Normal Rate - not more than 120/80
  • Pre-hypertension Rate - 120-139/80-89
  • Stage 1 High Blood Pressure -140-159/90-99
  • Stage 2 High Blood Pressure - 160 and above/100 and above

People with high blood pressure should immediately consult a doctor for ways to control and reduce it. There are several causes of high blood pressure some of which are listed below:

  • Obesity
  • Smoking and drinking
  • No exercise
  • Too much salt intake
  • Stress
  • Genetics (heredity)
  • Old age

Hypertension usually does not have any symptoms, and many people do not even know that they already have high blood pressure. The best way to know if you have high blood pressure is to go to the doctor to have it checked.

The following are possible symptoms of high blood pressure:

  • Severe headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Blurred vision
  • Chest pain and congestion
  • Breathing problems
  • Heartbeat irregularities
  • Blood in the urine

The type of people listed below are most likely to have high blood pressure:

  • People who have relatives with hypertension
  • Pregnant women
  • Women who take contraceptives
  • Overweight and obese people
  • Physically inactive people
  • People who smoke and drink
  • People with high intake of salt

Hypertension can be dignosed by a doctor or a nurse by using a special device called sphygmomanometer which consists of a pump, arm cuff, dial, valve and a stethoscope. You can also check if you have high blood pressure at home by using a device that can be purchased in stores. Regular monitoring of your blood pressure is a good way to control hypertension and it should be done at least after every 3 months.

High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels that may eventually lead to other conditions including:

  • Stroke
  • Heart attack or heart failure
  • Kidney failure
  • Vision problems

High blood pressure can be controlled by reducing weight through exercising and maintaining a proper diet. Fruits and vegetables are the most recommended food to eat. Also, doctor-prescribed medicines help in lowering blood pressure. To know more about hypertension and how to prevent it, it is best to consult a doctor.