Blood pressure is the force that the blood exerts on the walls of the main blood vessels in the body, and when blood pressure is measured, the amount of blood that crosses these vessels is taken into
consideration, in addition to the amount of resistance the blood encounters during its transit, and hypertension occurs. When blood pressure rises to abnormal levels.
Blood pressure is expressed in two numbers, the first number represents the systolic pressure in the
blood vessels when the heart contracts or beats, and the second number represents the diastolic pressure in the blood vessels when the heart rests between beats.
High blood pressure is diagnosed when it is measured on two different days and the systolic blood
pressure reading on both days is greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg, and / or when the diastolic blood pressure reading is more than or equal to 90 mm Hg.
Risk factors for developing high blood pressure
Risk factors for developing high blood pressure include:
Eating an unhealthy diet such as excessive consumption of salt, a diet high in saturated and unsaturated fats, and low intake of vegetables and fruits.
Lack of physical activity and exercise.
Smoking and drinking alcohol.
overweight.
Having a family history of high blood pressure.
People over the age of 65.
People with diabetes.
People with kidney disease.
Common symptoms of high blood pressure
High blood pressure is called the silent killer, as most people who suffer from high blood pressure are not aware of the problem, as there may not be any signs or symptoms, so it is necessary to have blood pressure checked regularly, and anyone can measure blood pressure using blood pressure meters.
The mechanism, however, is an evaluation by a specialist is important for diagnosing high blood pressure and reducing its risk.
Some symptoms of developing high blood pressure can occur over the years, and these symptoms include the following:
Headache.
Nosebleeds.
Arrhythmia.
Shortness of breath.
Redness of the skin.
Vision changes.
Ringing in the ear
Severe high blood pressure can cause the following symptoms:
Tired.
Dizziness
Nausea
Vomiting
Confusion.
Anxiety.
pain in chest.
Muscle twitching
Causes of high blood pressure
There are two types of high blood pressure, and each type has different causes
Primary hypertension
Also called essential hypertension, this type of high blood pressure develops over time without a specific cause, and it is the common type in most people.
Scientists have not yet confirmed the causes of this type of high blood pressure, but some factors may include the following:
Genes: Some people are genetically and genetically susceptible to high blood pressure, and this may be due to the presence of genetic mutations or genetic abnormalities inherited from the parents.
Physical changes: If something changes in the body, problems may start in all other parts of the body, and it is believed that changes in kidney function due to aging may cause an imbalance of the natural
balance of salts and fluids in the body, and thus this change may cause an increase in blood pressure.
Environment: An unhealthy lifestyle can affect the body over time, such as lack of physical activity and malnutrition.
Secondary hypertension
Secondary hypertension often occurs quickly and suddenly, and may become more severe than primary hypertension. Conditions that can induce secondary hypertension include the following:
Kidney disease.
Obstructive sleep apnea.
Congenital heart defects.
Thyroid problems.
Side effects of medications.
Drug use.
Drinking alcohol.
Adrenal gland problems.
Certain diseases of the endocrine system.
Diagnose high blood pressure
High blood pressure can be diagnosed simply with a blood pressure reading, and if blood pressure readings are high, your doctor may order more readings over a few days or weeks.
High blood pressure is rarely diagnosed after only one high reading, and the doctor needs to examine the patient for a cause of the problem, and if high blood pressure persists, the doctor will likely conduct
more tests to rule out some of the secondary problems that cause this rise, and these tests include the following:
Urine test.
Cholesterol and other blood tests.
Test of the electrical activity of the heart using an electrocardiography.
Ultrasound of the heart and kidneys.
How to understand blood pressure readings
There are five categories that determine blood pressure readings in adults:
A healthy reading: A healthy blood pressure reading is 120/80 mm Hg.
High reading: The systolic blood pressure reading at a high reading ranges between 120 and 129 mm Hg, and for diastolic blood pressure, its readings are less than 80 mm Hg, and in these cases doctors
often move away from treatment with drugs, and instead the doctor may encourage a change in the pattern Life to help reduce readings.
Readings of high blood pressure in the first stage: the systolic blood pressure reading ranges between 130 and 139 mm Hg, or the diastolic blood pressure reading ranges between 80 and 89 mm Hg.
High blood pressure readings in the second stage: the systolic blood pressure reading in this case reaches 140 mm Hg or more, or the diastolic blood pressure reading reaches 90 mm Hg or more.
Readings for a hypertensive crisis: Systolic blood pressure readings exceed 180 mm Hg, or diastolic blood pressure readings exceed 120 mm Hg, and this condition requires urgent medical attention and monitoring, and in the event of any symptoms such as chest pain, Headache, shortness of breath, or visual changes, this necessitates emergency medical care.
It is worth noting that blood pressure readings differ in children and adolescents and adults.
Treating high blood pressure
There are several factors that help the doctor determine the best treatment option for the condition, and these factors include the type of high blood pressure and the underlying causes.
Primary hypertension treatment options
In the event that the condition is diagnosed with primary high blood pressure, lifestyle changes may help reduce this elevation, and if the changes do not help, the doctor may prescribe the appropriate medication for the condition.
Secondary hypertension treatment options
If the doctor detects the problem that lies behind high blood pressure in the case of secondary hypertension, this will enable him to focus on treating this problem, for example, if the cause of high
blood pressure is a side effect of a certain medicine, the doctor will change this medicine for the patient to another medicine It does not cause high blood pressure.
Treatment plans for high blood pressure often change depending on the patient’s response. What initially succeeds in lowering the pressure may fail over time, and therefore the doctor will continue to work on improving the treatment plans.
High blood pressure medications
Many people go through a trial and error stage during the treatment of high blood pressure, where a person may need to try different drugs to find a drug or group of drugs that suits his condition, and
among the medicines that are used to treat high blood pressure are the following:
Beta-blockers: This group of drugs works to make the heartbeat slower and less forceful, which
reduces the amount of blood transported through the arteries in each heartbeat, and thus lowers blood pressure, as it works to block some hormones in the body that It works to raise blood pressure.
Diuretics: Increasing sodium levels and the accumulation of fluid in the body can work on high blood pressure, and here comes the role of diuretics that get rid of the excess sodium by passing it through
the kidneys into the urine, and thus the excess fluids are eliminated as well.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: Angiotensin is a chemical that causes blood vessels and arteries to narrow, hence the role of this group of drugs, as they prevent the body from producing a
large amount of this chemical, which helps blood vessels relax and reduces blood pressure.
Angiotensin II receptor blockers: While ACE inhibitors aim to stop the production of angiotensin II, angiotensin receptor blockers work by preventing angiotensin from binding to its own receptors, thus
losing its effectiveness in narrowing blood vessels.
Calcium channel blockers: These drugs prevent some calcium particles from entering the heart muscle, which in turn reduces the force of the heartbeat and thus lowers blood pressure.
Alpha-2 agonists: This type of medicine works by changing the nerve flow that causes the narrowing of blood vessels, which helps to relax them, thus reducing blood pressure.
Home remedies for high blood pressure
Lifestyle changes can help control the factors that cause high blood pressure, and here are some of the most common home remedies.
Follow a healthy diet
A healthy diet helps reduce high blood pressure, and through it it is possible to control normal blood pressure and reduce the risk of complications, and among the foods that are recommended to eat in this case include:
the fruit.
Vegetables.
Whole grains.
Protein-rich foods, such as fish.
Increase physical activity
The treatment plan for high blood pressure must include an increase in physical activity, as exercise can help reduce stress, reduce blood pressure naturally, and strengthen the cardiovascular system, and
it is recommended to practice sports activities at a rate of at least 150 minutes per week, equivalent to 30 One minute five times a week.
Reaching a healthy weight
If a person with high blood pressure is overweight, losing weight may help them achieve normal blood pressure readings, by following a healthy diet and increasing physical activity.
Reducing and controlling stress
Exercising is a great and effective way to reduce stress and fatigue, and examples of activities that can also be beneficial include:
Meditation.
Deep breathing techniques.
Massage.
Relax.
Yoga.
Get enough sleep.
Adopting a cleaner lifestyle
If the patient is a smoker, he must quit smoking immediately, as the chemicals in tobacco smoke destroy body tissues and harden and narrow the walls of blood vessels.
Complications of high blood pressure
Early detection of high blood pressure is necessary, as high blood pressure can cause serious damage to
the heart, as it increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis, which reduces the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart, and other complications of high blood pressure include:
Chest pain, also called angina.
Heart attack, which occurs when blood flow to the heart is reduced, so that heart muscle cells die due to a lack of oxygen.
Heart failure, which occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood and oxygen to other vital organs.
Irregular heart beat, which may lead to sudden death.
Stroke, where high blood pressure can cause a burst or blockage of the arteries supplying the brain.
Kidney damage, thus causing kidney failure.
Prevention of high blood pressure
Prevention of high blood pressure can reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease, and among the recommended prevention methods are the following:
Salt consumption should be kept to less than 5 grammes a day.
Eat more vegetables and fruits.
Engage in regular physical activity.
Avoid smoking.
Reducing alcohol consumption.
Limit your intake of foods rich in saturated fats.
Refrain from eating foods rich in trans fats.
Reducing exposure to psychological stress.
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