Hypertension is known as "the silent killer" because many people do not have symptoms. It is a risk factor that is associated with other cardiovascular conditions such as heart attack, stroke, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), and renal failure. While some people have a genetic predisposition to high blood pressure, lifestyle is often a cause for hypertension.
Prevention and Risk Factors
Prevention is the best medicine, and taking the steps to prevent hypertension can greatly reduce one's risk for developing other conditions. Diet, activity level, and tobacco use are key contributors to cardiovascular health.
A healthy diet is necessary for maintaining cardiovascular health. Those who are overweight or obese have a higher blood volume, which puts more pressure on the arterial walls. Decreasing caloric intake can contribute to weight loss and decrease one's risk for hypertension and other related disease.
Sodium should be consumed in moderation because it causes the body to retain water. Higher sodium levels can lead to greater water retention contributing to higher blood pressure. Increasing potassium intake can help control sodium levels in the body. Moderate alcohol consumption may have positive effects on the cardiovascular system, but heavy drinking can contribute to hypertension.
Regular exercise lowers the resting heart rate, which is a sign that the heart does not have to work as hard, so less pressure is exerted on the arterial walls with each heart contraction. Exercise also removes sodium from the body while sweating. Combined with a healthy diet, exercise is an important factor in successful weight loss.
Blood pressure increases during smoking. Tobacco also contains chemicals that thicken the blood causing plaque buildup and damage to the arterial walls. When the arterial walls become hardened, they are unable to adapt to pressure changes with each heart contraction and are more likely to tear. A tear in the arterial wall is a likely spot for new plaque formation. The inability of the arterial walls to expand and contract with pressure changes also contributes to hypertension.
Several other conditions may also contribute to hypertension. Chronically high levels of stress can contribute to high blood pressure. Exercise and other stress reduction techniques, such as meditation, are helpful for reducing stress. Renal disease, peripheral vascular disease, and diabetes are closely related to hypertension. Some women develop pregnancy-induced hypertension that usually subsides after childbirth, but maintaining a healthy lifestyle is necessary during the pregnancy along with close monitoring of fetal health.
Diagnosis and Stages of Hypertension
Blood pressure is measured using an arm cuff and gauge called a sphygmomanometer. It measures the systolic pressure, which is the pressure within the artery during heart contraction and is the top number. The diastolic pressure is the pressure within the artery when the heart relaxes and is the bottom number. The following are blood pressure guidelines as reported by the Mayo Clinic:
- Normal blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) and below, although some clinics suggest a maximum blood pressure of 115/75 mm Hg.
- Prehypertension occurs between 120/80 mm Hg and 139/89 mm Hg.
- Stage 1 hypertension occurs between 140/90 mm Hg and 159/99 mm Hg.
- Stage 2 hypertension is a blood pressure reading of 160/100 and higher.
The final diagnosis of hypertension is made after taking a series of blood pressure readings over the course of several visits to the physician.
Controlling High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure remedies may not cure the disease, but treatment can help control high blood pressure and prevent associated diseases from developing. In addition to addressing the lifestyle factors mentioned above, a physician may begin treatment by prescribing any, or a combination, of the following: diuretics, beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, or renin inhibitors.
It is important to follow physician instructions and provide any feedback regarding treatment. Each person is unique in his or her lifestyle factors and diagnosis and may respond differently to medications than other people. Communication and regular visits with the doctor are the key to finding the right combination of medications. In some cases, one can lower blood pressure naturally by making lifestyle changes with diet and exercise and avoiding tobacco use.
Resource
MayoClinic.com: High blood pressure (hypertension)
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