Did you know that high blood pressure is one of the leading causes of death in the world? It’s a serious condition, and if left untreated, it can lead to some very serious health complications.
In this article, we will discuss what high blood pressure is, what causes it, and how you can go about treating it. We will also provide some helpful tips on how to prevent high blood pressure from happening in the first place.
Let’s get started!
What is Blood Pressure?
First, we’ll understand what is blood pressure.
Blood pressure is the measure of the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood.
Nahi Smajh Aaya……? Simple hai
E.g- Imagine your water tank on the roof that sends water into your tap. You can consider the water tank as a heart and water pipes as arteries. If the water pressure will be too high, it can damage the pipes and can cause leakage into the wall.
If you measure the pressure in the pipes, it will be called water pressure. The same is the case with the heart and arteries in our body.
If this pressure is too high, it can damage your arteries and lead to heart disease and stroke. But if it’s too low, you might feel fainted or lightheaded.
What is blood pressure’s normal range?
The blood pressure normal range considered is 120/80 mmHg(millimetres of mercury).
A blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg is classified as normal.
Blood pressure readings are given in two numbers, systolic and diastolic. The first number is the pressure when your heart contracts and pushes blood out (systolic) and the second number is the pressure when your heart relaxes between beats (diastolic).
A blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or above is considered high blood pressure.
What is high blood pressure?
Your blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against all of the walls of your arteries. When this force is too high, it’s called high blood pressure.
There are two numbers in a blood pressure reading. The top number is called the systolic number, and the bottom number is called the diastolic number.
A normal adult blood pressure should be below 120/80 mmHg (millimetres of mercury). If either one of those numbers is above that, you have high blood pressure.
High blood pressure is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It’s often called the “silent killer” because it doesn’t usually have any symptoms, so you might not even know you have it.
120/80- Where 120 is the systolic(When the heart pumps the blood) number and 80 is the diastolic(when the heart relaxes) number.
Normal Blood Pressure- is less than or equal to 120/80 mmHg
High Blood Pressure- is more than 120/80 mmHg
Low Blood Pressure- is less than 90/60 mmHg
High blood pressure can damage your heart and cause problems like heart failure, stroke, or kidney disease.
That’s why it’s important to get your blood pressure checked regularly and to always follow your doctor’s recommendations for keeping it under control.
High blood pressure symptoms
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a serious condition that can lead to heart attack, stroke and other health problems.
The good news is that there are many ways to treat high blood pressure and keep it under control.
There are a variety of symptoms that can indicate high blood pressure. Here are some of the most common:
– Headache
– Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
– Blurred vision
– Feeling fatigued or tired all the time
– Difficulty concentrating during tasks at hand
– Chest pain, especially when you cough or take a deep breath
– Nosebleeds, especially if they occur frequently
– Pain in your lower back and/or legs
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor right away for diagnosis and treatment.
What causes high blood pressure?
There are many possible causes of high blood pressure, but the most common cause is usually a combination of factors.
These can include:
- Stress
- Smoking
- Being overweight or obese
- Eating a high-sodium diet
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Low potassium in your diet
- Not getting enough exercise
- Not getting enough sleep
Sometimes certain medical conditions can also contribute to high blood pressure, such as sleep apnea(sleeplessness) or kidney disease.
Some medical conditions that can cause High Blood pressure include:
- Sleep apnea
- Kidney diseases
- Hormone problems
- Scleroderma
- Lupus
- Glomerulonephritis
Some medicines can also cause high blood pressure, which includes:
- Steroids
- Contraceptive pills
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs- ibuprofen
- Cough and cold remedies
- Antidepressants
If you think you might have high blood pressure, it’s important to see your doctor so they can check it and recommend any necessary treatment.
(Source: www.nhs.uk)
High Blood pressure-related diseases
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a condition in which the force of blood against artery walls is too high. This increased force can damage the arteries, heart, and other organs.
There are a number of diseases and conditions that are related to high blood pressure. These include:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Eye disease
- Heart failure
- Aneurysm(weakened blood vessels which form bulge)
- Kidney problems
- Metabolic syndrome
- Trouble with your memory or understanding
- Dementia
Children may be at risk of high blood pressure, which is the most prevalent disease in adults. Children can develop high blood pressure for a variety of reasons, including kidney or heart issues.
Poor lifestyle choices — such as an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise — are linked to increased blood pressure in many children.
Diets and exercise for high blood pressure
If you have high blood pressure, it’s important to change your diet and exercise habits to help lower your blood pressure and keep it under control.
There are many different ways you can lower your blood pressure through diet and exercise. Here are a few tips:
Follow a healthy diet: Eating healthy foods is one of the best things you can do for your overall health, including your blood pressure.
A healthy diet includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products.
You can include the following foods in your diet:
- Citrus fruits like- Orange, Grapefruit and Lemon.
- Yoghurt
- Salmon fish
- Pumpkin seeds
- Beans and lentils
- Berries
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Herbs and Spices
- Beetroot
- Spinach
Once you have figured out what to eat, it’s also important to flex your muscles a little bit. Not too much!
You can include these exercises in your daily routine:
- Jogging
- Cycling
- Swimming
- Walking
- Dancing
- Active sports like- Tennis or Basketball
- Hiking
- Climbing
Basically, any exercise which can lower your blood pressure is good for you.
Treatments for high blood pressure
There are a variety of treatments for high blood pressure. Some common ones include lifestyle changes (such as exercise and diet), medications, and surgery.
Lifestyle changes can be very effective in treating high blood pressure. Exercise is a great way to lower blood pressure, and following a healthy diet can help reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure in the first place.
If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, medications may be prescribed. There are a variety of different medications that can be used to treat high blood pressure include- water pills (diuretics), beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and ACE inhibitors.
If lifestyle changes and medication do not lower blood pressure enough, surgery may be an option.
Surgery can involve opening up blocked arteries or repairing damaged valves., and your doctor will work with you to find the one that is best suited to your individual needs.
Home remedies for high blood pressure
If you have high blood pressure, there are several home remedies that may help to lower your blood pressure. Here are a few of them:
- Eat a healthy diet- A healthy diet is one of the best ways to lower blood pressure. Make sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet. Limit the amount of salt and processed foods you eat.
- Get regular exercise- Exercise is another great way to lower blood pressure. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day.
- Quit smoking cigarettes- Smoking cigarettes increases your risk for high blood pressure, and it also makes it harder for you to control your blood pressure if you already have it.
- Limit the amount of alcohol- Do not increase your alcohol intake. It will significantly put you at risk
- Reduce stress- Stress is also one of the major factors for high blood pressure. Try to ease the pressure in your life.
- Check and Monitor your blood pressure regularly– You need to keep a check on your blood pressure. A once-a-week checkup is better to monitor your blood pressure.
Precaution for high BP patients
When it comes to high blood pressure, either you have it or you’re trying to prevent it. If you already have high blood pressure, there are a few precautions you should take to help keep it under control.
First and foremost, make sure to always take your medication as prescribed by your doctor.
In addition, try to limit your intake of salt and alcohol, and exercise regularly.
Finally, be sure to monitor your blood pressure regularly so that you can catch any sudden spikes and get them under control quickly.
Age to Blood Pressure chart
The age-to-blood pressure chart is a guideline that shows the relationship between age and blood pressure. The chart is based on averages, so it is not 100% accurate for every person. However, it can give you a general idea of what your blood pressure should be at different ages.Â
Here is the age-to-blood pressure chart:Â
Hypertension or High BP cases in India and in the world
According to World Health Organization, an estimated 1.28 billion adults ages 30-79 years have hypertension or high BP.
AN ESTIMATED 46% OF ADULTS ARE UNAWARE THAT THEY HAVE HYPERTENSION CONDITION.
In India, an estimated number of people with hypertension is 22 crore or 220 million( According to WHO).
Only about 12% of people who have hypertension or high bp in India have their blood pressure under control. Uncontrolled blood pressure is one of the key risk factors for heart attacks and strokes, and it causes one-third of all deaths in India.
India has also launched an initiative-Indian Hypertension Control Initiative(IHCI) to fast-track access to treatment services for those who have hypertension.
The Indian Health Service – IHCI, which began operations in November 2017, is a multi-partner effort involving the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Indian Council of Medical Research, WHO Country Office for India, and Resolve to Save Lives.
Conclusion
High blood pressure is a serious condition that can lead to some very dangerous health complications if left untreated.
However, with the right treatment and prevention methods, it is possible to keep your blood pressure under control and avoid these complications.
If you are concerned about your blood pressure or want more information on treating it, please consult our doctor.
We would be happy to help you get started on the road to better health!
