High Blood Pressure

The circulatory system is the network of organs and blood vessels through which blood travels in the body. Blood is pumped out of the heart into blood vessels is known as arteries. After passing through the body, blood returns to the heart by way of blood vessels known as veins. As blood flows through arteries and veins, it pushes on their walls. Thus, blood pressure is defined as the force exerted by blood inside arteries.

           

Blood does not flow steadily through the circulatory system. At one moment, the heart muscle squeezes blood out of the heart into the arteries. At this point, the blood pressure is high because of the force exerted by the heart. At this time, next moment, the heart muscle relaxes to let fresh blood into the heart. At this point, the highest pressure reached by blood in the arteries is called the systolic pressure and the lowest pressure reached by blood in the arteries is known as the diastolic pressure. In such a process, when a doctor or nurse takes a person’s blood pressure, he or she records two readings: the systolic (highest) and the diastolic (lowest) pressure. The readings are measured in units called “millimeters of mercury” or mm Hg. This unit is commonly used by scientists to measure pressure.

             In the light of the above explanation, according to the American heart association, high blood pressure (medically know as ‘Hypertension’) means systolic blood pressure is consistent at 140 or over 140 or diastolic blood pressure is consistent at 90 (140/90 mm Hg).

             Hypertension is a serious problem because people with this condition have a higher risk for heart disease and other medical problems than people with normal blood pressure. If left untreated, hypertension can lead to a number of medical conditions and complexities, including: heart attack, stroke, paralysis, enlarged heart, kidney damage, vision-loss.

Causes

In the majority of cases, causes are obscure, but it is usually caused by:

.        Family history of high blood pressure (heredity),

.        Kidney disorder, blood vessel diseases,

.        Disorders of the thyroid or other glands,

.        Heavy alcohol consumption and excessive smoking,

.        Overweight, nervous tension excitements,

.        Emotional stress and sedentary life,

.        Excess salt consumption and high sodium level in serum,

.        Lack of proper exercise and physical work,

.        Use of oral contraceptives

Signs and Symptoms

              Hypertension is a major health problem, especially because it has no symptoms. Many people have hypertension without knowing it and thus it is known as a ‘silent killer’. There is no single point at which a person is said to have hypertension. Hypertension or high blood pressure is characterized by:

.         Sub-occipital headache, nausea, vomiting,

.         Shortness of breath, significant sweating,

.         Easy fatigability and palpitation,

.          Blurred vision and confusion,

.          Rise of diastolic and systolic pressure,

.          Chest pain,

.          Irregular heart beat,

.          Ear noise or buzzing,

.          Blood in urine, nose bleeding,

.          Emotional and loose temperament,

.          Unconsciousness and hemorrhages,

.          Paralysis and swelling of organs.

Prevention and Control

              Some risk factors of hypertension cannot be eliminated. For example, a person may have inherited disorder. But may risk factors can be prevented or reduced. The following measures should be adopted for the prevention and control of hypertension:

.          Lifestyle changes may help control high blood pressure,

.          Reduce overweight,

.          Eat healthy/balanced diet and adjust your diet as needed,

.          Reduce salt intake,

.          Reduce fat intake,

.          Quit smoking,

.          Reduce alcohol consumption,

.          Begin a programmer of regular physical exercise,

.          Checking of blood pressure at regular intervals,

.          Learn to manage personal, family, occupational and social stress,

.          Proper medication according to the doctor’s suggestion.