Symptoms and Treatment of Hypertension

Introduction

Hypertension is due to undue increase in blood pressure in an individual. The blood arteries are constantly pumped with mounting pressure. Each time the heart pumps blood through the arteries it builds pressure due to which blood circulates to all parts of the body. Blood pressure is nothing but the pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of the arteries and veins through which it flows. When there is high pressure exerted by the blood it leads to high blood pressure which is translated into hyper tension. The greater the pressure the blood exerts, the difficult it becomes for the heart to pump blood. Hypertension is a serious health condition as it can damage internal organs and can also lead to stroke, seizures, kidney failure, heart attacks, etc. It has an undue influence on life expectancy and will lead to reduced years if not attended to promptly. Hyper tension can be essential or secondary. There are no known causes for high blood pressure; however secondary hypertension can be caused due to kidney ailments, consumption of birth prevention pills, etc. it is estimated that nearly seventy million adults residing in the USA are suffering from hypertension.

                                                                                                                

Causes of Hypertension

There is a long list of causes that lead to hypertension. Basically like any other health complication an unhealthy lifestyle is an obvious reason for hypertension too. Unhealthy habits like smoking, overweight, inadequate exercise or physical activities, diabetes, inadequate intake of minerals like calcium, magnesium and potassium, high intake of salt, reckless alcohol consumption, intake of birth control pills, etc, lead to hypertension. Other factors like high stressful conditions, mental depression, personal mental conditions, emotional shocks, deceit, etc. can also lead to hypertension. Usually poor working conditions which require the individual to undergo constant pressure and stress will induce high blood pressure. More than physical stress mental stress is a more influential factor in this case. However, it is quite possible to control the occurrence of hyper tension by regulating the working conditions and maintaining a peaceful state of mind.

Symptoms of Hypertension

There are no standard symptoms for hypertension. As a matter of fact a vast majority of the people may not be aware that they have hypertension and such unawares can sustain for prolonged period of time until it becomes severe. Periodic health checkups will help in identifying symptoms that indicate presence of high blood pressure. The other common symptoms of hypertension include confused state of mind, over emotional, severe and regular headaches, giddiness, fatigue, nausea, heart aches, blurred vision or blackouts, problems with regular breathing or while climbing heights, inconsistent heartbeat, traces of blood in urine, etc. High cholesterol or diabetes common in elderly people is also common symptoms of hypertension. Other symptoms of hyper tension include quick emotional outbursts. The person might have a tendency to have emotional outbursts even for slightest irritations which he may have endured in previous circumstances. Quick and angry reactions to any depressing or disappointing news are also considered as a symptom of hyper tension although it is considered to be more a more emotional state f the mind. However, a further study of the attitude and character of the person will reveal more information about the presence of hyper tension.

Diagnosis of Hypertension

Diagnosis of hypertension is detected by checking the blood pressure. Blood pressure is checked with an instrument named sphygmomanometer. The device is made up of a pump, a dial, a valve and an arm cuff that is plastered around a person’s arm before checking the pressure. Blood pressure reading above 140/90 (which stands for systolic and diastolic numbers respectively) is considered to be cases of hypertension. However, in certain cases the results are misleading as patients tend to get nervous or anxious which further increases the blood pressure than under normal conditions. Hence, doctors usually undertake an examination of the patient’s past medical history and medication in order to arrive at a clear conclusion. Details about smoking and consumption of liquor are also noted to identify the causes due to which the patient is having hypertension. Hypertension is further diagnosed through the use of echocardiograms and electrocardiograms which determine the present condition of the heart and its health that can shed light on the instances of hypertension. In addition, further blood tests and other tests may also be carried out to determine cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, etc which have a bearing on the blood pressure of the body.

Treatment of Hypertension

Hypertension can be treated by using medication and changes in lifestyle or a combination of two. The main objective of the treatment of hypertension is to reduce blood pressure to a healthy level whereby other diseases are also bought under control. Treating hypertension will prevent sever heath complications like heart attacks, heart failures, kidney failures, strokes, etc. Patients may also be adopt healthier habits like reducing weight, restricting or quitting smoking and drinking, incorporating a healthy diet that contains rich fibers and proteins, controlling intake of sodium, regular exercises and maintaining fitness, etc. Drugs like ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, ARB drugs, peripheral vasodilators also aid in controlling hypertension. Regular intake of juices of beetroot, cabbage, fennel, radish, lettuce, carrots, etc. also aid in reducing hypertension. Practice of yoga and regular walks in natural surrounding are also known to be effective in bringing down blood pressure levels significantly. It is possible to prevent hypertension if individuals will embrace a healthy diet and lifestyle instead of resorting to damaging food habits and abusive material intake. Salt intake and stress levels should also be regulated to ensure proper healthy life with much life expectancy. Yoga, meditation and peaceful walks also aid in reducing stress levels as they pacify the mind forcing the heart to control heart beat and pumping of blood. Natural surroundings are also more contributing than artificial interiors as breathing becomes more natural and rejuvenated. Physical and heavy mental stress inducing activities may also be controlled to ensure reduction in high blood pressure levels.