Causes and Consequences of High Blood Pressure

The cardiovascular system pumps blood through the body to provide fuel for cellular functions and remove waste. Hypertension or high blood pressure is a problem in this supply system that leads to problems in other systems. In fact, high blood pressure is called the silent killer because it usually has no symptoms itself. Episodes of extreme hypertension can cause headache, nausea, blurred vision or chest pain. More often hypertension symptoms are the result of damage to other organs in the body that are especially sensitive to a defect in blood supply. Severe damage can result in heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. By monitoring blood pressure regularly through a simple procedure, a set of numbers can reveal the onset of HBP before serious damage occurs. Anyone can check their blood pressure by using the blood pressure cuff (sphygmomanometer) at home or at the pharmacy. Etiology is not fully understood. It may be genetic and is often associated with poor diet and physical inactivity. HBP can be managed with life style changes and medication.

Blood Pressure Basics

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When the ventricle of the heart pushes blood out into the arteries, this is called systole. The pressure in the arteries crests. The upper figure in a blood pressure reading is called systolic because it reflects this high water mark. The lower figure signals the pressure of blood in the vessels during the pause between contractions and is the diastolic pressure. Individuals vary, and normal blood pressure changes because with physiological function, but a reading of 120/80 is an effective indicator of a healthy cardiovascular system. Anything higher is hypertension. Anything lower is hypotension. Both figures are important. 140/90 is the clinical marker for high blood pressure. A range of 120-139/80-89 alerts your doctor that you are prehypertensive. Self-care requires becoming more physically active and eating healthier food. Weight loss is the most obvious result, but exercise and an improved diet can also decrease anxiety and improve the quality of sleep. Changes in diet start with decreased salt and fat intake. Salt attracts fluid, and decreasing salt supports appropriate fluid levels in the body. Weight alone is not an effective guide to your nutritional status. Ensuring that you receive adequate nutrients requires understanding the result of your food choices. Use of vitamins and supplements can also be helpful if you make informed choices. Dancing and walking are activities that don’t require a gym membership and increase social contact which itself has a positive effect on your general level of health. Using salt substitutes, taking the stairs, and parking your car at the far end of the lot are simple ways to take care of yourself. Massage, meditation, yoga, and other relaxation techniques also lower blood pressure. Risk factors for HBP include smoking, alcohol abuse, and use of oral contraceptives.

Medication For Hypertension

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Medications function by addressing the mechanics. Either an increase in blood volume or a decrease in arterial diameter can cause HBP. Some medications, such as Lasix, are diuretics and decrease blood volume by increasing urine production and eliminating sodium. Some medications target the diameter of the blood vessels via different mechanisms. These include direct vasodilators which relax the smooth muscle of the artery and allow it to widen, decreasing the force required to push blood through. Beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and CCBs are all used to intervene in specific mechanism of the systems that regulate cardiovascular function. Each medication has a set of potential side effects as a result of its mechanism of operation. Treatment frequently involves the use of two or more medications. Your physician uses your medical history to help determine what combination is most effective for your unique requirements.