The arteries in the body are impacted by the prevalent disease of high blood pressure. Additionally known as hypertension. The blood’s constant pressure on the artery walls is too high if you have high heart pressure. To pump blood, the heart needs to work harder.
Millimetres of mercury, or mm Hg, are used to measure heart pressure. A blood pressure level of 130/80 millimetres of mercury (mm Hg) or greater is often considered to be hypertension.
The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology classify blood pressure into four broad categories. We consider normal blood pressure ideal.
- Healthy heart pressure: At least 120/80 mm Hg for blood pressure.
- Hypertension: The bottom number is below, not over, 80 mm Hg, while the top number is between 120 and 129 mm Hg.
- Hypertension Stage 1: The top number is in the 130–139 mm Hg range, while the lowest number is in the 80–89 mm Hg range.
- Hypertension Stage 2: The top number is at least 140 millimetres of mercury, or the bottom number is at least 90.
- A hypertensive emergency or crisis is defined to have a heart pressure reading of more than 180/120 mm Hg. If you or someone you know has these blood pressure readings, get immediate medical treatment.
Hypertension raises the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other major health issues if left untreated. Starting at age 18, it’s important to get your blood pressure monitored at least every two years. Some individuals need more regular examinations.
Hypertension may be prevented and treated with healthy lifestyle choices including quitting smoking, exercising, and eating healthily. Some individuals need medication to lower their heart pressure.
Symptoms
Even when blood pressure measurements are at dangerously high levels, the majority of persons with high blood pressure show no symptoms. Years may go by while you have high heart pressure with no signs or symptoms.
A few hypertension sufferers might have:
- Headaches
- Breathing difficulty
- Nosebleeds
These symptoms are widespread, however. They often don’t show up until hypertension has gotten to the point where it’s dangerous or life-threatening.
When To See A Doctor
Screening for high blood pressure is a crucial component of general healthcare. Your age and general health will determine how often you should test your heart pressure.
Beginning at the age of 18, get a blood pressure check from your doctor at least every two years. Ask for a yearly heart pressure check if you are 40 years of age or older, or if you are between the ages of 18 and 39 and have a high risk of developing hypertension.
If you have high blood pressure or other heart disease risk factors, your healthcare professional could advise getting your blood pressure checked more often.
As part of their regular exams, children three years old and older may have their heart pressure checked.
If you don’t visit a doctor on a regular basis, you may be able to receive a free blood pressure check at a health resource fair or another place in your neighbourhood. Additionally, several shops and pharmacies provide free heart pressure equipment. The optimal cuff size and appropriate machine use are only two factors that affect how accurate these devices are. Obtain instructions about using public blood pressure monitors from your healthcare physician.
Causes
The volume of blood the heart pumps and the difficulty of the blood’s passage through the arteries both affect blood pressure. Cardiovascular pressure rises as the heart pumps more blood and as the arteries become more constricted.
The two basic kinds of high blood pressure are as follows.
Essential Hypertension Or Primary Hypertension
For the majority of individuals, high blood pressure has no known cause. Primary hypertension or essential hypertension are the terms used to describe this form of excessive heart pressure. It often takes several years to grow gradually. Atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque in the arteries, raises the risk of high blood pressure.
Secondary Hypertension
Such high blood pressure is brought on by an underlying illness. It often manifests abruptly and raises blood pressure more than primary hypertension does. The following conditions and medications might cause secondary hypertension:
- Tumours of the adrenal gland
- Birth-related blood vessel issues, commonly known as congenital heart defects
- Prescription medications such as birth control pills, painkillers, and cough and cold remedies
- Illicit substances like cocaine and amphetamines
- Kidney illness
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Thyroid issues
Sometimes heart pressure rises just from receiving a physical. We refer to this as white coat hypertension.
Risk Factors
There are various risk factors for high blood pressure, including:
- Age. As people age, their chance of having high blood pressure rises. Hypertension is more prevalent in males up to age 64. After the age of 65, women are more prone to have hypertension.
- Race. Black folks are more likely than other races to have high heartpressure. Compared to white individuals, black folks experience it sooner in life.
- Family background. If one of your parents or a sibling has hypertension, you are more likely to have it yourself.
- Being overweight or obese. The blood arteries, kidneys, and other organs of the body alter as a result of excess weight. Frequently, these modifications raise blood pressure. Additionally increasing the risk of heart disease and its risk factors, such as high cholesterol, is being overweight or obese.
- Absence of exercise. Lack of exercise may lead to weight gain. Hypertension risk increases with weight gain. Inactive people often have greater heart rates.
- Either smoking or vaping. The sudden and temporary increase in blood pressure caused by smoking, chewing tobacco, or vaping. Smoking tobacco damages the blood vessel walls and hastens the artery hardening process. Ask your healthcare professional for advice on how to stop smoking if you currently do.
- Excessive salt. The body may retain fluid if there is too much salt, commonly known as sodium, in it. Cardiovascular pressure is a result.
- Low amounts of potassium. Salt homoeostasis in the body’s cells is aided by potassium. For healthy hearts, potassium levels must be balanced properly. Low potassium levels may result from a diet low in the mineral or from other medical disorders, such as dehydration.
- Overindulging in booze. Cardiovascular pressure has been related to drinking alcohol, especially in males.
- Stress. High stress levels might cause a brief rise in heart pressure. Stress-related behaviours like eating more, smoking, or drinking alcohol may cause blood pressure to rise even higher.
- Long term conditions. Hypertension is a complication of several medical disorders, including kidney disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea.
- Pregnancy. Sometimes, elevated heart pressure during pregnancy occurs.
High heart pressure affects adults mostly. However hypertension may also occur in children. Kidney or cardiac issues might result in hypertension in children. However, an increasing number of children are developing hypertension as a result of improper food and activity habits.
Complications
Hypertension damages blood vessels and internal organs by placing an excessive amount of pressure on the artery walls. The harm increases when blood pressure rises and remains uncontrolled for a longer period of time.
Uncontrolled hypertension may result in issues like:
- Angina or a stroke. A heart attack, stroke, or other difficulties might result from the hardening and thickening of the arteries brought on by excessive heart pressure or other conditions.
- Aneurysm. An aneurysm is a weakening and ballooning blood vessel that develops as a result of hypertension. A ruptured aneurysm may pose a risk to life.
- Heart attack. Hypertension makes it more difficult for the heart to pump blood. The walls of the pumping chamber of the heart get thicker due to the strain. The term “left ventricular hypertrophy” refers to this ailment. Heart failure occurs when the heart can no longer adequately pump blood to satisfy the body’s demands.
- Kidney issues. The blood arteries in the kidneys may constrict or weaken as a result of hypertension. This could harm your kidneys.
- Eye issues. Blood vessels in the eyes may become thicker, narrower, or torn as a result of high blood pressure. Loss of eyesight may come from this.
- Metabolic syndrome. This syndrome is a collection of metabolic abnormalities. It entails glucose, a sugar, breaking down irregularly. The syndrome is characterised by a larger waist circumference, elevated triglyceride levels, lower HDL cholesterol (the “good”), elevated blood pressure, and elevated blood sugar levels. Diabetes, heart disease, and stroke are all illnesses that increase your risk of developing them.
- Changes in memory or comprehension. Uncontrolled hypertension may interfere with one’s capacity for thought, memory, and learning.
- Dementia. Blood flow to the brain may be restricted by narrowed or obstructed arteries. Vascular dementia, a specific kind of dementia, may result from this. Vascular dementia may also be brought on by a stroke that cuts off the blood supply to the brain.