Hypertension is a condition when the rate of blood pressure is higher than usual. A chronic health condition increases the chance of hypertension, affects kidney health, or leads to diabetes.
High blood pressure or Hypertension damages the artery by making it less elastic, decreasing the flow of oxygen in the blood. The extreme condition of high blood pressure leads to heart stroke. That’s why it is said, “Keep calm, you already have high blood pressure”.
Moving forward, let’s know about the symptoms and stages of high blood pressure:
Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
Hypertension symptoms are as follows:
- Extreme Headache.
- Epistaxis or Nosebleed.
- Trouble while breathing.
- Ringing in Ears or Tinnitus.
- Insomnia or lack of sleep.
- Confusion.
- Fatigue.
- Excessive sweating.
Stages Of Blood Pressure
Let’s now discuss the stages of increased blood pressure:
- Normal: This is a mild stage and no treatment is required. Yes, but you need to monitor your blood pressure level.
- Prehypertension: A condition where it shows a slight increase in the blood pressure level of the body. One needs to take proper care of their health before they cross the threshold of “Stage 1”.
- Stage 1: The blood pressure level ranges from 130 to 139 mm Hg. The only treatment to manage your blood pressure level is to lead a healthy life by maintaining a healthy diet and following the prescribed medication.
- Stage 2: It is the last and most severe stage of high blood pressure and leads to serious health complications like heart attack, and stroke, and increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Factors that cause Hypertension
The factors that lead to high blood pressure:
- High Blood pressure is common after you have reached the age of 50 in both men and women while women are likely to develop high blood pressure after the age of 65.
- If increased blood pressure runs in your family, then one or the other person has a chance of developing high blood pressure.
- Obesity or being overweight not only increases the chances of high blood pressure but also causes numerous health problems like thyroid, heart diseases, bone pain, diabetes, and so on.
- Try working out or going out for a morning walk regularly as a physically inactive person has a higher chance of developing high blood pressure.
- Including too much salt in the food or consuming salty snacks also increases the level of blood pressure of the body.
- Drinking too much alcohol and the use of tobacco give rise to increased blood pressure in the body. These are the two most common unhealthy practices that need to be avoided to prevent the rise of any serious health issues in the body.
- Taking too much stress hampers the mental health of a person and causes different health problems including high blood pressure. Therefore, it is recommended to work on reducing your stress level to stop its effect on the body.
Tests Required for High Blood Pressure
Here are the tests for high blood pressure:
- A blood test that measures creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and electrolytes.
- Urine Test
- Lipid profile test to measure the level of cholesterol in the body
- Ultrasound for the kidneys
- CT scan for the abdomen
- Eye examination or test to detect any eye health condition
Facts And Myths:
There are various facts about high blood pressure and myths that people are still believing. Let’s take a brief look at the facts and myths related to high blood pressure levels.
- It is not just salt that you need to cut off from your diet. Other than salt, bread, cheeseburgers, pizza, roll, cheese, and potato chips contain salt that you must avoid. Plan a diet full of fruits and dairy products to maintain the level of blood pressure of the body.
- People believe that “coffee raises the blood pressure level”, which is not true but regular consumption of alcohol will definitely increase your blood pressure level.
- There is a belief among people that high blood pressure is common in men while it depends upon age and not on gender. High blood pressure is common after the age of 50 both in men and women. Women with increased blood pressure face complications during pregnancy and, on the other hand, taking birth control pills to increase the chance of high blood pressure.
- It is a fact that dark-skinned people have a higher chance of developing high blood pressure which is due to genetic or environmental factors.
- Hypertension only affects aged people; It is not true young people also fall prey to hypertension, rather they are more affected. The reason for this is their habit of excessive smoking and drinking at a very young stage. Reckless smoking and drinking are the major causes of an increase in high blood pressure.
- People admit that there is no cure for high blood pressure if it runs in their family, IT IS NOT SO! A healthy lifestyle reduces the chances and its effects on the body. Don’t believe it? Then, do try it out to see the difference.
- You must have come across people believing only proper medication can cure high blood pressure. Going by the medication prescribed by the doctors will not do, along with this one must follow a healthy diet and regular exercise. Besides, go for a blood pressure screening test to regulate the level of blood pressure in the body.
- Continue taking the medication even if your blood pressure is under control. Many still have a wrong perception that if the blood pressure level comes down then they need not have to take medication. To prevent any further health complications, one must stick to the medication.
Redcliffe Labs is one of the trusted diagnostic centers offering various health packages so that you keep a track of your health. You can go for a full body checkup package for getting the overall status of your health or a healthy heart package to detect any sign of heart health complications. A blood pressure screening test will give a status about the rate of blood pressure level of the body.
Final Thoughts
With the right treatment and medication, you can have a controlled blood pressure level. Besides, a blood pressure screening is essentially required to maintain hypertension. Maintaining the level of blood pressure is important so that it reduces the chances of serious health complications like a heart attack. Therefore, hold on to your prescribed medication and do follow a healthy lifestyle.
