Hypertension -Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
Hypertension -Causes, symptoms and treatments
Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels.
How great the pressure is depends on the work being done by the heart and the resistance of the blood vessels.
Medical guidelines define hypertension as a blood pressure higher than 140 over 90 millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
The systolic reading of 140 mmHg refers to the pressure as the heart pumps blood around the body. The diastolic reading of 90 mmHg refers to the pressure as the heart relaxes and refills with blood.
--Causes--
Blood pressure varies throughout the day. It is lower during sleep and higher on awakening.
Occasionally having high blood pressure for a short time is a normal physiological response to many situations. Acute stress and intense exercise, for example, can briefly elevate blood pressure in a healthy person.
For this reason, a diagnosis of hypertension normally requires several readings that show high blood pressure over time.
However, a reading of 180 over 110 mmHg or higher could be a sign of a hypertensive crisis that warrants immediate medical attention.
--Symptoms--
A person with hypertension may not notice any symptoms, and it is often called the "silent killer." While undetected, it can cause damage to the cardiovascular system and internal organs, such as the kidneys.
Long-term hypertension can cause complications through atherosclerosis, where the formation of plaque results in the narrowing of blood vessels. This makes hypertension worse, as the heart must pump harder to deliver blood to the body.
--Treatment--
(A) Lifestyle choices can contribute to the treatment and prevention of high blood pressure, and they can have wider benefits for the heart and overall health.
Salt restriction
Average salt intake is between 9 grams (g) and 12 g a day in most countries around the world.
The WHO recommend reducing intake to under 5 g a day, to help decrease the risk of hypertension and related health problems. This can benefit people both with and without hypertension, but those with hypertension will benefit the most.
Moderating alcohol consumption
Moderate to excessive alcohol consumption is linked to raised blood pressure and an increased risk of stroke. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommend a maximum of two drinks a day for men, and one for women.
A drink, in this case, refers to:
- 12 ounce (oz.) bottle of beer
- 4 oz. of wine
- 1.5 oz. of 80-proof spirits
- 1 oz. of 100-proof spirits
A healthcare provider can help people who find it difficult to cut back.
More fruit and vegetables, less fat
People who have or who are at risk of high blood pressure are advised to minimize intake of saturated fat and total fat.
Recommended instead are:
- whole-grain, high-fibre foods
- a variety of fruit and vegetables
- beans, pulses, and nuts
- omega-3-rich fish twice a week
- non-tropical vegetable oils, for example, olive oil
- skinless poultry and fish
- low-fat dairy products
It is important to avoid trans-fats, or hydrogenated vegetable oils, and animal fats, where possible, and watch your portion size.
(B) By Use Of Antihypertensive drugs - these drugs lower the blood pressure if taken properly and some are obtainable by over the counter. They are :
1. Nifedipine
2. Vasoprin
3. Lisinoprin
4. Aldomet
5. Amilodipine
6. Catapress
7. Apresoline(hydrallazine) and others.
Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels.
How great the pressure is depends on the work being done by the heart and the resistance of the blood vessels.
Medical guidelines define hypertension as a blood pressure higher than 140 over 90 millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
The systolic reading of 140 mmHg refers to the pressure as the heart pumps blood around the body. The diastolic reading of 90 mmHg refers to the pressure as the heart relaxes and refills with blood.
--Causes--
Blood pressure varies throughout the day. It is lower during sleep and higher on awakening.
Occasionally having high blood pressure for a short time is a normal physiological response to many situations. Acute stress and intense exercise, for example, can briefly elevate blood pressure in a healthy person.
For this reason, a diagnosis of hypertension normally requires several readings that show high blood pressure over time.
However, a reading of 180 over 110 mmHg or higher could be a sign of a hypertensive crisis that warrants immediate medical attention.
--Symptoms--
A person with hypertension may not notice any symptoms, and it is often called the "silent killer." While undetected, it can cause damage to the cardiovascular system and internal organs, such as the kidneys.
Long-term hypertension can cause complications through atherosclerosis, where the formation of plaque results in the narrowing of blood vessels. This makes hypertension worse, as the heart must pump harder to deliver blood to the body.
--Treatment--
(A) Lifestyle choices can contribute to the treatment and prevention of high blood pressure, and they can have wider benefits for the heart and overall health.
Salt restriction
Average salt intake is between 9 grams (g) and 12 g a day in most countries around the world.
The WHO recommend reducing intake to under 5 g a day, to help decrease the risk of hypertension and related health problems. This can benefit people both with and without hypertension, but those with hypertension will benefit the most.
Moderating alcohol consumption
Moderate to excessive alcohol consumption is linked to raised blood pressure and an increased risk of stroke. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommend a maximum of two drinks a day for men, and one for women.
A drink, in this case, refers to:
- 12 ounce (oz.) bottle of beer
- 4 oz. of wine
- 1.5 oz. of 80-proof spirits
- 1 oz. of 100-proof spirits
A healthcare provider can help people who find it difficult to cut back.
More fruit and vegetables, less fat
People who have or who are at risk of high blood pressure are advised to minimize intake of saturated fat and total fat.
Recommended instead are:
- whole-grain, high-fibre foods
- a variety of fruit and vegetables
- beans, pulses, and nuts
- omega-3-rich fish twice a week
- non-tropical vegetable oils, for example, olive oil
- skinless poultry and fish
- low-fat dairy products
It is important to avoid trans-fats, or hydrogenated vegetable oils, and animal fats, where possible, and watch your portion size.
(B) By Use Of Antihypertensive drugs - these drugs lower the blood pressure if taken properly and some are obtainable by over the counter. They are :
1. Nifedipine
2. Vasoprin
3. Lisinoprin
4. Aldomet
5. Amilodipine
6. Catapress
7. Apresoline(hydrallazine) and others.
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