High Blood Pressure: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Treatment Methods

Understanding High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a condition where the blood pressure in your arteries is consistently higher than normal. Blood pressure is measured with two numbers: systolic blood pressure (the top number) and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number). High blood pressure is defined as a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or higher, or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or higher. It’s a serious health problem that can lead to many dangerous complications if not well controlled.

Causes of High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can be caused by a number of factors, including:

• Family history: Having a family history of high blood pressure increases your risk.
• Unhealthy lifestyle: High salt intake, high saturated fat intake, lack of physical activity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption all contribute to high blood pressure.
• Obesity and overweight: A high BMI increases the risk of high blood pressure.
• Other medical conditions: Kidney disease, diabetes, and thyroid disease can all cause high blood pressure.
• Age: The risk of high blood pressure increases with age.

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

Many cases of high blood pressure have no noticeable symptoms. However, some symptoms that may appear include:

• Severe headaches
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Blurred vision
• Chest pain

Note: Self-diagnosing based on symptoms is insufficient. You need to see a doctor for proper testing and diagnosis.

Treatment Methods for High Blood Pressure

Treatment for high blood pressure typically involves lifestyle changes and medication. Lifestyle changes include:

• Healthy diet: Reduce salt, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Increase physical activity: Exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes a day.
• Lose weight if overweight or obese.
• Limit alcohol and quit smoking.

Medication for high blood pressure: Your doctor will prescribe appropriate medication based on your health condition. Medications may include diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, etc.

Preventing High Blood Pressure

To prevent high blood pressure, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and have regular blood pressure checks, especially if you have high-risk factors.