FAQ About Elevated Blood Pressure

What Is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure is quite a common health condition in our times, which is know also as hypertension (this name creates a popular misunderstanding, and some people suppose that hypertension is something liked to being too nervous and too tense). Blood pressure represents the force that our blood applies to our blood vessels when it is being pumped by our heart. This force is measured and estimated in two numbers: the one for systolic blood pressure, or the pressure when our heart is in the peak of pumping , and the one for diastolic blood pressure, when our heart is relaxed. Thus, our blood pressure is always given as the systolic number before diastolic number, like 120/80 mmHg.

• If your systolic blood pressure is lower than 120 mmHg and your diastolic blood pressure is lower than 80 mmHg, your blood pressure should be considered normal.
• If your systolic blood pressure is between 120 and 139, and your diastolic blood pressure is between 80 and 89. your blood pressure should be considered pre-hypertension.
• If your systolic blood pressure is above 140 and your diastolic blood pressure is above 90, your blood pressure must be considered high.

It is estimated that every one of three people in today’s US suffers from the symptoms of elevated blood pressure, and this condition is connected with certain serious risks, including overstretching, scarring and damaging our blood vessels, blood clots and plaque formation in our blood vessels, premature wearing out of our heart, imbalances in nutrient and oxygen supply to our body tissues, and so on.  Go on reading to learn more what is high blood pressure, what are its symptoms and causes.

What Are Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure?

Actually, there are no clear and absolute symptoms of high blood pressure which could indicate the condition and make doctors understand that we’re suffering from hypertension. That is why a great deal of people actually suffer from high blood pressure and have increased risks to their cardiovascular health, but have no idea about that. Due to this reason, hypertension is sometimes called ‘the silent killer’ which is destroying our health slowly and silently.

However, there are certain indicating sighs of the condition which should not be considered the direct symptoms of high blood pressure, but rather indicating marks pointing to possible hypertension. Those include:

• Frequent headaches
• Dizziness
• Ear noise or buzzing
• Facial flushing
• Occasional nosebleeds
• Blurred vision and blood spots in the eyes
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

In most cases, it can be difficult to point at specific causes of high blood pressure. Many experts agree on the fact that hypertension usually takes place when a group of the risk-factors and causes of high blood pressure occur. Below, there is a list of risk-factors which can cause elevated blood pressure in people:

• Gender: men usually have slightly higher chances to suffer from hypertension.
• Age: as we age, our blood pressure tends to go higher.
• Race: Caucasians have slightly less probability of developing elevated blood pressure compared to African Americans.
• Body mass: having extra weight is always linked to higher blood pressure.
• Sedentary lifestyle: no need to mention that those who are lacking physical activities have high risks of hypertension and all related complications.
• Using birth control pills and other medications: using some pills can make us develop elevated blood pressure.
• Alcohol abuse: this habit is also associated with hypertension.

What Else Do I Need To Keep In Mind About High Blood Pressure?

It is very important to monitor your blood pressure on a regular basis and be aware about its dynamics. This will help you prevent many very serious complications and health conditions related both to your cardiovascular and general health. Elevated blood pressure can cause severe damage to your heart, your blood vessels, liver, kidneys, brain, and all other important organs. Learn more about the causes of high blood pressure in your particular situation, and try to do everything possible to change or eliminate those (if possible). Also, check out some useful information about herbal remedies for high blood pressure.

Author Info: Hi! My name is Carla and I am a 5th year medical student at HYMS. I am interested in alternative medicine and I have done months researching the topic of herbal medicine. Besides, I like interviewing people and learning more about their experiences with one or another type of herbal treatments. I am willing to contribute to this site with my knowledge, and I would be happy to help you out to the best of my ability with any specific questions or problems related to alternative medicine.

Comments are closed.