Hypertension: All You Need To Know How to Manage This Silent Killer

High Blood Pressure or Hypertension

Hypertension

Now a days Hypertension or High blood pressure is becoming a common condition. It can be due to various factors like stress, drug or obesity etc. In this article, we will check the risk factors, sign and symptoms and management of hypertension. 

Hypertension or high blood pressure is also called as "silent killer". Most people with high blood pressure or hypertension may remain unaware of this serious problem as there may be no warning signs or symptoms. Hence, it is crucial to measure the blood pressure regularly. 

Blood is carried by arteries from heart to other body organs and body parts. When blood flow, it exerts pressure on the walls of the arteries. There are two types of blood pressure; Systolic (pressure generated when our heart contracts or beats) and Diastolic (pressure generated when our heart rest between beats). It is denoted as Systolic/Diastolic blood pressure. For example, 120 systolic and 80 diastolic then it will be denoted as 120/80. 120/80 mmHg is widely taken as normal blood pressure. A blood pressure which is higher than the normal blood pressure is called Hypertension. 

According to WHO if the systolic blood pressure is ≥140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure is ≥90 on two different days then it is diagnosed as Hypertension. The blood pressure does not remain same all the day. It rises and falls depending our mood, stress or physical activities.

Risk Factors

There are several risk factors which can lead to hypertension. Per WHO, theses risk factors are divided into two major categories:

Modifiable

• Consumption of unhealthy diets like high amount of salt intake, consumption of diet which is high in saturated fat and trans fats, eating less fruits and vegetables.
• Physical Inactivity
• Tobacco and Alcohol consumption
• Overweight or obese individuals

Non-Modifiable

• Family history of hypertension
• Age greater than 65 years 
• Co-existing diseases such as diabetes or kidney disease

Signs And Symptoms

Many people do not realise or know that they are suffering from hypertension. Person with high blood pressure may not show any warning signs or symptoms. Therefore, one need to measure his/her blood pressure regularly to find out if he/she is hypertensive or not. There are many automated devices in the market which are easy to use and provide accurate readings however, one should also consult health care provider. Health care provider can assess and find out other risk factors or associated conditions which may worse the condition in future.

Here are few signs and symptoms of Hypertension:

• Early morning headaches
• Bleeding from Nose
• Irregular heart beats
• Vision changes
• Buzzing in the ears
• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Confusion
• Anxiety
• Chest pain
• Muscle tremors

Complication Associated with High Blood Pressure or Hypertension

Do not ignore if you have High blood pressure. High blood pressure is dangerous to your health in numerous ways. Heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes all are at serious risk if your blood pressure is uncontrolled.

Heart Disease

High blood pressure is considered to make your arteries less elastic. It may harden the arteries. Blood flow and oxygen is decreased in hard and less elastic arteries leading to heart disease. A reduction in blood flow to the heart can cause:

• Pain in Chest, which is also known as angina.
• A block in the blood supply to the heart itself can cause death of heart muscles leading to Heart attack.
• Decrease blood flow may reduce the working capacity of the heart. When the heart fails to pump enough blood and oxygen to other organs, it is referred as Heart failure.
• Sudden death due to irregular heart beat.

Stroke

As mentioned earlier that blood exerts pressure on the arteries. A very high blood pressure can burst the arteries causing a stroke. When arteries are bursts or the blood supply to brain cells is hampered, they begin to die due to lake of oxygen. Depending upon the severity of brain damage, person with stroke may exhibit cognitive, speech, movement and other disabilities.

Also Read: How to Provide Home Care for a Stroke Patient with 9 Helpful Tips

Kidney Disease

Hypertension is a causative agent for Kidney damage. It can lead to Kidney failure if high blood pressure is left untreated.

How to Manage Hypertension or High Blood Pressure?

Diet Modification 

Healthy Diet

Reduction in sodium intake and increase in potassium intake along with reduced alcohol consumption are the main dietary strategies for the prevention of hypertension. Adopting the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet or a Mediterranean diet is also helpful in reducing hypertension. You must focus on healthier food choices to reduce the hypertension and complications associated with it.

The DASH dietary pattern emphasises on diet which is rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products. The DASH diet also focuses on intake of food which has less saturated and total fat.

Mediterranean diet is some what similar to DASH diet however, it has more fat as compared to DASH diet. Mediterranean diet encourages consumption of monounsaturated fat from olive oil, nuts, and seeds.

Quit Smoking 

Cigarette smoking affects blood pressure by triggering the release of epinephrine and nonepinephrine hormones. Smoking is a major risk to develop cardiovascular diseases. Data suggests that smoking cessation helps significantly to reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. 

Be Physically Active

Life style modification is useless if it does not involve physical activity and exercise. Physical activities such as walking, running or jogging and other exercise play a vital role in to manage blood pressure or hypertension. Several studies support that aerobic exercise and resistance exercise can be considered as effective antihypertensive therapies.  

Lose Weight 

One of the major causes of hypertension is Obesity. Data suggest that subsequent cardiovascular, kidney, and brain injury are more commonly seen in obese person with high blood pressure. Therefore, weight-loss strategies should be adopted to reduce obesity. Lifestyle changes, diet modification, increase in physical activity, and reduced sedentariness are some important ways to reduce blood pressure in obese individuals.

Stress Management

Stress Management

Studies show that stress cannot be directly linked to cause hypertension, but stress is considered as a risk factor for the development of hypertension. Stress can be due to excessive work, job strain, emotional distress, social isolation or mental stress. Try these stress coping strategies:

• Sort and priorities your tasks. 
• Plan and focus to complete most important and essential work on priority.
• Learn to say “No” to new responsibilities if you are already loaded with lots of work.
• Avoid triggers which can lead to stress. Find out the trigger which is creating stress to you. It may be related to your occupation, office, job, family or relation.
• Meditate
• Take deep breaths and relax

Blood Pressure Monitoring

Monitor and make a screening chart of your blood pressure. Now a days it is easy to get done. Thanks for the automated BP apparatus available in the market. Make a daily chart with 2 or 3 hours interval in between the readings. It really helps to find out if you are constantly having elevated blood pressure or not.

Consult a doctor or physician in case the blood pressure is more than the normal range consistently or you have other sign or symptom of high blood pressure.

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