High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the measure of the force that the blood applies to walls of the arteries as it flows through them. The increase of BP due to exertion, stress or anxiousness is normal, but if it stays high constantly even if you are at rest then this is high blood pressure.

There are two types of high blood pressure-

1. Primary BP

2. Secondary BP

Primary BP does not really have a single clear cause but secondary is caused due to some other underline disease.

Symptoms-

Generally people don’t have any symptoms in high BP. This is why it is also known as the silent killer. Only when it becomes very high people get headaches, blurred vision or sometimes fits also.

Diagnosis-

People who have high BP typically don’t know about it until there BP is measured. It is measured by a medical instrument called sphygmomanometer (A rubber cuff which is wrapped around your upper arm and inflated).

Treatment-

With lifestyle changes people with pre hyper tension can lower it by loosing weight, exercising and taking a low sodium diet. However, people with secondary hyper tension need to take medication apart from lifestyle modifications. Don’t stop taking medicine without consulting your doctor first. You may increase your risk of having a heart attack.

Complications-

High BP adds to the work load of your heart and arteries. Chronic high BP can cause heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, eye damage, brain damage, etc. it is of utmost importance to realize that high BP can go unrecognized for years and can cause a lot of damage to the heart, other organs and blood vessels. Go for regular checkups.

Lifestyle changes-

You must take a low salt diet. Include more vegetables and fruits, cut down alcohol and stop smoking. You must exercise regularly.