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11 FAQ about High Blood
Pressure
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Answers to your
frequently asked questions about high blood pressure, in medical terminology called as
hypertension. 1. What are Causes of
High Blood Pressure?
Specially in essential hypertension we dont see any cause of high
blood pressure, however a variety of conditions -- such as getting little or no exercise,
poor diet, obesity, older age, and genetics can lead to high blood
pressure. 2. What Is Diastolic
and systolic Blood Pressure?
Normally, the blood pressure reading is measured in millimeters of
mercury (mm Hg) and is written as systolic pressure, the force of the blood against the artery
walls as your heart beats or contracts, over diastolic pressure, when the heart relaxes. For
example, a blood pressure reading is written as 13/80 mm Hg, or "130 over 80". The systolic
pressure is 130 and the diastolic pressure is 80.
3. What Is
a Normal Blood Pressure value?
The Joint National Committee on
Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure has classified blood
pressure measurements into several categories: * "Normal"
blood pressure is systolic pressure less than 120 and diastolic pressure less than 80.
mmHg
* "Prehigh blood pressure" is systolic pressure of
120-139 or diastolic pressure of 80-89. mmHg
* Stage 1 high blood pressure is blood pressure
greater than systolic pressure of 140-159 or diastolic pressure of 90-99 mmHg or
greater.
* Stage 2 high blood pressure is systolic pressure
of 160 or greater or diastolic pressure of 100 or greater.
4. What Health Complications are
Associated With high blood pressure?
Several potentially serious
health conditions are linked to high blood pressure, including: *
Atherosclerosis: a disease of the arteries caused by a buildup of plaque, or fatty material, on
the inside walls ( Endothelium )of the blood vessels . high blood pressure contributes to this
buildup by putting added stress and force on the artery walls causing endothelial
injury.
* Stroke CVA or Transient Ischaemic attacks: high
blood pressure can lead to stroke, either by contributing to the process of atherosclerosis (which
can lead to blockages and/or clots), or by weakening the blood vessel wall and causing it to
rupture called as cerebral haemmorhage.
* Eye Disease: high blood pressure can damage the
very small blood vessels in the retina.
* Heart Disease: High bllod pressure is most common cause of
left heart failure. heart failure (the heart can't adequately pump blood), ischemic heart disease
(the heart tissue doesn't get enough blood), and hypertensive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (enlarged
heart) are all associated with high blood pressure.
* Kidney Disease: high blood pressure can damage
the blood vessels and filters in the kidneys, so that the kidneys cannot excrete waste
properly. 5. How Do I Know if I
Have high blood pressure? high blood pressure often
doesn't have any symptoms that is why called as silent killer, so you usually don't feel it. For
that reason, high blood pressure is usually diagnosed by a health care professional on a routine
medical checkup. This is especially important if you have a close relative who has high blood
pressure or embody risk factors for it. If your blood pressure is extremely high which is also
called as Malignant hypertension, you may have unusually strong headaches, chest pain, and heart
failure, or signs and symptoms of strok like paralysis or numbness of arm or feet (especially
difficulty breathing and poor exercise tolerance). If you have any of these symptoms, seek
treatment immediately. 6. How Is High blood
pressure Treated naturally?
High blood pressure treatment usually involves making lifestyle
modifications and, if necessary, drug therapy.
Following Lifestyle changes can control blood pressure
naturally * Regular
exercise (such as brisk walking for half hour atleast).
* Limiting alcohol drinking.
* Losing weight.
* Quitting smoking.
* Eating a healthy diet, such as the DASH
diet.
* Reducing the amount of salt in your
diet. 7-What are common
medicine for high blood pressure
High blood pressure medications include angiotensin-converting enzyme
(ACE) inhibitors
angiotensin receptor blockers ARBs
diuretics
beta-blockers
calcium channel blockers. 8. What Are the Side
Effects of High blood pressure Medications?
As
is true with any medication, High blood pressure medications have also side effects. Among the
most common are the following: * Calcium
channel blockers: dizziness, trouble breathing, heart rhythm problems palpitation, ankle
swelling, constipation.
* Beta-blockers: dizziness or lightheadedness,
decreased sexual ability, drowsiness, low heart rate (Bradycardia).
* Diuretics: headache, weakness, joint or muscle
pain, low potassium blood levels.
* ACE inhibitors: dry and persistent cough,
headache, diarrhea, high potassium blood levels.
* Angiotensin receptor blockers: fatigue,
dizziness or fainting, muscle pain, diarrhea. 9. What Type of Diet
Should I Follow if I Have High blood pressure?
A healthy diet, such as the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop High
blood pressure) diet, is very effective at lowering high blood pressure. The DASH diet calls for a
certain number of daily servings from various food groups, including fruits, vegetables, and whole
grains.
The following steps can also help: * Eating
less red meat and sweets
* Eating foods that are high in magnesium,
potassium, and calcium
* Eating more fruits, vegetables, and low-fat
dairy foods
* Eating less of foods that are high in saturated
fat and cholesterol, such as fried foods
* Eating more whole grain products, fish, poultry,
and nuts 10. When Should I Call
My Doctor?
If you are diagnosed with High blood pressure, it's important to
consult your doctor on a regular basis. He can answer your questions during these medical checkup
sessions. However, there may be other
times when you may need to speak to your physician like:
* If you are having any side effects from the blood pressure
medication. If this happens, your doctor may wish to adjust the dosage of the medication or put you
on another medication.
* If you aren't responding to the prescribed treatment and your
blood pressure is still high. 11. Are There any
Medications that Cause High blood pressure?
Some medications that you take for another condition may cause High
blood pressure. These include birth control pills , migraine medications, cyclosporine and
erythropoietin, amphetamines, Ritalin, corticosteroids, hormones, NSAIDs like brufen. Also, many
over-the-counter medications (for example, allergy, cold and asthma medications and appetite
suppressants) can cause High blood pressure. Just remember, Don't stop taking
any prescribed medication, including antihypertensive medication, on your own without talking to
your nurse or physicain.
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