High blood pressure is sometimes referred to as the silent killer. The condition can cause many illnesses and life-threatening diseases. When you have high blood pressure, your heart and arteries work too hard. The message is clear, monitoring your blood pressure can save your life. Know it, check it and reduce your risk of developing illnesses and diseases.

 

How do you know if you have high blood pressure?

High blood pressure is common. It can be detected by self-monitoring and be diagnosed during routine health examinations or when you visit your doctor because you feel unwell with symptoms such as headaches, blurred vision, dizziness or pulsating in the neck. Other indications are chest pains, shortness of breath or palpitations. Sometimes, it isn’t evident that your body is struggling to get blood circulating efficiently. There can be no obvious symptoms or warning signs preparing you to deal with life-threatening health issues caused by high blood pressure.

 

Are you at risk of having high blood pressure?

With age, the body’s network of blood vessels changes. Arteries get stiffer causing blood pressure to rise. Other risk factors are diabetes, smoking, lack of sodium and low potassium. Also, people who are inactive, pregnant, going through menopause or have a family history of high blood pressure. African, Caribbean or South Asian adults are more likely to develop high blood pressure than other racial, or ethnic groups.

 

High blood pressure can be responsible for:

• Heart failure

Heart failure can happen due to things you can and can’t control. Factors include age, medical history, ethnicity or heart vessel condition. It can be due to unhealthy lifestyle choices including a bad diet, toxins, drugs, alcohol consumption, stress and lack of physical activity

• Heart attack

A heart attack is also known as a myocardial infarction. It happens when the blood flow to the heart is blocked. The heart is then deprived of oxygen, causing tissue death

• Heart disease

A build-up of fatty deposits or plaque in the coronary arteries can cause restricted blood flow to the heart. It can result in chest pains, angina, a stroke or a heart attack

• Kidney failure

High blood pressure can constrict and narrow blood vessels all over the body. It can cause damage to other major organs, such as the kidneys. When the kidneys can no longer do their job, it can result in kidney failure

• A stroke

A stroke happens when insufficient oxygen and nutrients get to the brain. High blood pressure can cause blood clots to form in the arteries, leading to a stroke

• Vascular dementia

When blood vessels are damaged they can harden and get narrower. This can starve brain cells of oxygen and nutrients causing vascular dementia. A person loses the ability to think, remember and act normal

• Eye problems

High blood pressure can harm tiny blood vessels in the eyes causing blurred vision, double vision or vision loss due to lack of blood flow to the retina. It can also create fluid retention behind the retina.

 

What is a normal blood pressure reading?

A normal blood pressure reading is 120/80. The higher number of the two is called systolic pressure, which is the pressure against the arteries when the heart pumps blood around the body. The lower number is called diastolic pressure. It shows the pressure in your arteries when your heart relaxes between beats.

 

Is high blood pressure the same as hypertension?

The medical term for high blood pressure is hypertension. Any blood pressure reading over 135/85 taken at home or 140/90 taken by a doctor or at a pharmacy is classed as high blood pressure.

 

Secondary hypertension.

Secondary hypertension occurs when a person suffers from a type of medical condition or illness. It can be connected to the kidneys, arteries, heart, endocrine system or pregnancy.

 

Find out more about blood pressure readings here.

 

How can you reduce the risk of high blood pressure?

• Know your blood pressure. You can monitor your blood pressure by using an automatic or cuff-style machine. You can borrow one from your doctor’s surgery or purchase one online. If you have concerns about your readings, seek medical advice
• Limit the consumption of foods high in saturated fat. Avoid eating too many fatty animal products including red meats and hard cheeses. Don’t overindulge on baked goods like cakes or bread. Limit deep-fried food, chocolate or ice cream.
• Increase the consumption of high-fibre foods. Eat a selection of fruits, vegetables, grains, peas, lentils, nuts and seeds.
• Eat plant-based foods. Include soy, plant-based cheeses, dairy-free butter, broccoli, olives and peppers.
• Don’t smoke or use recreational drugs and reduce alcohol consumption. Using drugs and smoking can alter the lining of the arteries. Alcohol produces artery-damaging chemicals.
• Implement stress management into your life. Self-care is important for your mental and physical health. Your stress management strategy should include exercising such as walking in the fresh air. Have a good sleeping routine, partake in your hobbies, and spend time with friends and family. Create coping strategies and good time management. Try different types of therapies such as life coaching, CBT or psychotherapy. Incorporate some forms of relaxation techniques into your life such as listening to music, meditation, tai chi or yoga.
• Avoid unhealthy relationships. Try to surround yourself with people who make you feel good and don’t increase your stress levels. This can be difficult and unrealistic at times but if you have choices, put your health first.
• Drink plenty of water. Dehydration causes the body to release hormones that can constrict the arteries which can then lead to an increase in blood pressure.
• Get plenty of sleep. Sleep allows the heart to slow down reducing the stress and demand on the arteries.
• Take regular exercise. It should include a form of aerobic exercise and strength training. Exercise strengthens the heart so it can pump more blood around the body with less effort and force on the arteries.

 

To help normalize the function of blood vessels we recommend our product Ventfort. It improves the tropism of the vascular wall cells and regulates their metabolic processes.

 

 

References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/secondary-hypertension/symptoms-causes/syc-20350679

https://www.westsidemedatl.com/blog/can-dehydration-cause-high-blood-pressure-and-other-dehydration-faqs#:~:text=When%20you’re%20dehydrated%2C%20your,it%20more%20difficult%20to%20manage.

https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/sleep/sleep-and-blood-pressure/#:~:text=Not%20getting%20enough%20quality%20sleep,pressure%20on%20the%20blood%20vessels.