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What Causes High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure can be dangerous if left untreated. It puts you at risk of stroke, heart attacks, and other health issues. It is often termed a silent killer because they usually have no symptoms. It is important to be aware about high blood pressure to treat and control it.

GS Hospital, the best Heart Care Center in Delhi NCR, aims to bring out awareness about high blood pressure to prevent it. As per research, it has been confirmed that the majority of the patients do not realize blood pressure problems. Hence, it is important to get timely check-ups with medications. GS Hospital, the Top Heart Care Hospital in UP, takes the initiative to perform a blood pressure check-up for each and every patient consulting the doctors at the hospital.

Awareness about blood pressure is very important which helps in identifying the cause and eliminating it.

All you need to know about high blood pressure

High blood pressure or hypertension is considered as the impact or force of blood pushing against your artery walls. This forceful blood rush may damage the arteries over some time. It is important to treat this condition to avoid any serious complications leading to heart attack or stroke.

Measurement of blood pressure

Blood pressure is a measurement of the pressure or force of the blood pushing against the blood vessels or arteries. Generally, BP has two readings which are as follows:

• Systolic blood pressure: This is the pressure on the artery walls when the heart beats in contraction.
• Diastolic blood pressure: This is the pressure on the artery walls when the heart beats in relaxation.

This is mainly measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

It is important to get your blood pressure checked regularly to monitor and control it. This can be done in a good hospital under the direct care of a certified physician with accurate blood pressure devices. These check-ups are very important to avoid any complications of high blood pressure.

Normal blood pressure range

The ideal blood pressure range is 120/80 mm of hg.

• High blood pressure above 140/90 mm of hg is considered high blood pressure.
• Low blood pressure above 90/60 mm of hg is considered low blood pressure.

Types of Hypertension

Knowing about the type of blood pressure is very important to control it in the right way. The different types of hypertension are as follows:

• Primary hypertension: This mainly occurs due to lifestyle changes such as aging or lack of exercise.
• Secondary hypertension: This mainly occurs due to associated medical conditions or medication that you are taking.
• White coat hypertension: This type of hypertension occurs when BP is normal at home but gets elevated in the hospital or clinic while being checked by the doctor.
• Masked hypertension: This type of hypertension occurs when BP is normal at a healthcare clinic or hospital and gets elevated at home.
• Sustained hypertension: This type of hypertension occurs when BP is elevated at the healthcare set-up and also at the home.
• Nocturnal hypertension: This type of hypertension occurs when BP goes high during sleep.

Causes of blood pressure

The causes of blood pressure are as follows:

Unhealthy eating habits with a high-sodium diet

Sodium is considered an essential mineral. However, an increase in salty foods can cause sodium to increase the blood pressure. Sodium pulls water into the bloodstream. This increase in the water volume of blood in the blood vessels exerts more pressure on the arteries leading to hypertension.

Lack of physical activity leads to a sedentary lifestyle

A sedentary lifestyle may cause plaque buildup or hardening of arteries. When your arteries become stiff or narrow, the heart’s functioning doubles up raising the blood pressure.

Addictions like Smoking, Alcohol, Tobacco use and Drugs

Smoking, alcohol, tobbacco, and recreational drugs are known as stimulants. This increases the blood pressure and heart rate causing hypertension. These stimulants acts on adrenergic agonist causing catecholamine and vasopressin release relating to adrenaline rush.

Certain Medications which include Immunosuppressants, NSAIDs, or Oral Contraceptives

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), immunosuppressants, or oral contraceptives alter the renal activity and kidney function which reduces the renal output, kindley blood flow, and glomerular filtrate rate. This causes sodium retention. Retention of salt may trigger the blood pressure and force exerted by the arteries causing hypertension.

Kidney Problems

Kidney diseases and problems may cause issues with renal function leading to the inability to eliminate all the wastes and extra fluid from the body. Extra fluid and wastes can raise your blood pressure more causing damage to kidney function. The inability to excrete waste can impact the overall kidney functioning.

Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea causes a sudden upsurge in systolic and diastolic pressure which keeps the blood pressure elevated at night and during sleep. Apart from this, the blood pressure remains elevated during the daytime as well when breathing is normal.

Aging

High blood pressure is a major problem seen in the elderly age group above 50+ years of age. This is mainly due to aging and degenerative activity of the blood vessels. The vascular system tends to change with age. Arteries get stiffer and narrower causing blood pressure to go up.

Genetics

Genes play a very important in cardiac issues. People with a strong and positive family history of high blood pressure are at higher risk of developing cardiac problems. In such cases, regular monitoring and preventive solutions for cardiac problems are a must.

Long-term medical conditions

Chronic medical illness or acute issues like fever can cause an increase in blood pressure. As per research, it has been confirmed that bacterial or viral infections can cause an increase in heart rate and rhythm leading to hypertension. Chronic medical illness can lead to malignant blood pressure.

Overweight and Obesity

Being overweight due to a high body mass index puts an extra strain on your heart. This causes an increased risk of developing high blood pressure which may damage your vessels leading to serious cardiovascular problems.

Complications of high blood pressure

The complications of high blood pressure are as follows:

• Coronary Artery Disease
• Stroke
• Heart Attack
• Peripheral Artery Disease
• Kidney Disease
• Complications during Pregnancy
• Eye Damage
• Vascular Dementia

Lifestyle changes to help lower your blood pressure

Here are some important lifestyle changes that can help lower your blood pressure by bringing about lifestyle changes.

• Maintain a healthy weight based on the required range.
• Reduce daily intake. The salt consumption should be around the range of 3500 to 5000 milligrams per day. Gradually tapering salt intake can work wonders in controlling blood pressure.
• Eat a healthy diet for example DASH diet enriched with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy.
• Get enough potassium by consuming 3500 to 5000 milligrams per day. Ensure to consume potassium-rich foods such as bananas, avocados, and potatoes.
• Exercise daily for up to 150 minutes per week. Include high-intensity cardio workouts.
• Limit consumption of alcohol and choose healthy beverages like coconut water, almond milk and smoothies.
• Lifestyle changes along with medications can help bring about a positive change in controlling blood pressure.