What is High Blood Pressure?

Hypertension or high blood pressure is the force the heart must use in order to push blood through the bodies veins and arteries. There are two distinct blood pressures; the first is the systolic pressure which pumps the blood through the arteries. The second, called diastolic pressure is the force of the pressure between vessels and beats of the heart. In a normal healthy body, the blood pressure is usually 120/80.

Symptoms of primary hypertension usually go unnoticed as they are mild and obscure. This is why this disease is called the ‘silent killer.” If the blood pressure suddenly escalates, it can lead to a Hypertensive crisis in which a stroke or heart attack can occur which often result in fatality.

Common symptoms of people with high blood pressure include, fatigue, shortness of breath, headache and dizziness. For many patients, headaches are a common complaint; however blood pressure medication does not remedy this problem. These headaches are caused by an increase in blood flow through the vessels in the brain. Over the counter medications do not have an effect on these types of headaches either. Typically, the pain is located behind the eyes, pulsating and manifesting in the early morning hours. This increased blood flow causes the heart to pump more blood than is necessary, thus resulting in white spots, blindness and heart palpitations.

Many people go for years without realizing they have high blood pressure. Of those with this disease, about 1% have malignant hypertension which requires immediate medical assistance as it can lead to heart attack or stroke. If gone undetected, high blood pressure can cause permanent damage to the heart, eyes and kidneys as well as lead to the onset of angina pain. To prevent or gain control of high blood pressure, patients need to seek the care of a medical professional as well as create a healthy lifestyle consisting of exercise and a healthy diet containing, fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy and wholegrain.

If you are a person who is exposed to much stress, this must also be controlled. Some hypertension is caused by stress, and this is never good for anyone. Too much of it will have an adverse effect on your health whether or not you have high blood pressure. It just makes sense to cut anything or anyone out of your life who causes undo stress to your health, accept for your children. That is stress you just have to live with and manage some how. They are yours for 18 years.

If you are overweight it would be to your good benefit to lose the extra pounds and maintain a health body weight. It is also a good idea to control unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol. This will help to lower and maintain proper blood pressure, to prevent its life-threatening complications that could have far reaching consequences.

Tags: ischemic heart disease, congenital heart disease, woman and heart disease