Roughly one in three American adults is experiencing hypertension and may not be aware of it. If you’re one of the many adults who may be at risk of developing this disease, it can be worrisome. However, there’s plenty you can do to manage and treat hypertension. In this article, we’ll tell you the basics to know about hypertension, including tips on how to stay healthy. Keep reading to learn more.
Hypertension, Explained
Hypertension is high blood pressure, which is a health condition that causes your blood to travel through your arteries with greater pressure than what’s considered typical. The longer your blood pressure remains high, the more damage it can cause to your blood vessels.
Your blood pressure is measured using two numbers:
- The “top” number is your systolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure is the measure of pressure on your artery walls as your heart beats and contracts.
- The “bottom” number is your diastolic blood pressure. Diastolic blood pressure is the measure of pressure on your artery walls in between beats while your heart is in a relaxed state.
The measurement is characterized by millimeters of mercury (mmHg). In the United States, your blood pressure is considered high if:
- You have a systolic blood pressure of at least 130 mmHg
- You also have a diastolic blood pressure of at least 80 mmHg.
Two Types of Hypertension
There are two types of hypertension to be aware of. They’re called primary and secondary hypertension, and they’re characterized by their causes:
- Primary hypertension is the more common type of hypertension, making up approximately 90% of all cases in the United States. The main causes of this type of high blood pressure are aging and lifestyle factors, such as a poor diet and not getting sufficient exercise.
- Secondary hypertension typically results from different medical conditions, such as obstructive sleep apnea and kidney disease, as well as certain medicines.
It’s important to note that a person can have both primary and secondary hypertension, which can cause blood pressure that’s already high to become higher. There are also certain types of temporary and anxiety-related hypertension.
What Causes Hypertension?
Hypertension can develop over several years, which means you may not notice any symptoms until it progresses. The primary cause of hypertension is an unhealthy lifestyle that involves:
- Unhealthy dietary choices, such as excessive consumption of salt, sugar, and certain carbohydrates
- Long periods of inactivity
- Excessive consumption of alcohol and coffee
- Smoking
- Lots of stress
Other causes of hypertension include certain health conditions, such as diabetes and obesity. High blood pressure can also run in families, so if your immediate family members and other relatives have developed hypertension, you may be at a greater risk of developing the disease compared to someone with a different family medical history. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to avoid developing hypertension.
The Signs and Symptoms of Hypertension
Hypertension is often referred to as a “silent disease,” as many people who have it don’t feel any symptoms. Getting a physical that includes a blood pressure reading from your primary care physician is one way to know for certain you have high blood pressure.
If you have very high blood pressure, however, you may experience the following symptoms, according to the World Health Organization (WHO):
- Chest pain
- Severe headaches
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blurred vision or other vision changes
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Nosebleeds
- Buzzing in the ears
- Abnormal heartbeat
Treating Hypertension
The first course of treatment that your physician might recommend if you have high blood pressure is a lifestyle change. If you’re in the early stages of hypertension, you may have a chance of reversing it by making the following changes:
- Eating a healthy and wholesome diet that’s low in salt, sugar, and processed foods
- Getting regular exercise
- Losing weight
- Quitting smoking
- Cutting back on alcohol
- Reducing stress
Your physician may prescribe one or more medications to control the disease. This can include the following options:
- ACE inhibitors, such as enalapril and lisinopril, can relax the blood vessels and prevent kidney damage.
- Angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs), such as Losartan and telmisartan, can also relax your blood vessels and prevent kidney damage.
- Calcium channel blockers, like amlodipine and felodipine, can relax the blood vessels.
- Diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide and chlorthalidone, can eliminate excess water from the body, which may help to lower your blood pressure.
Without treatment, hypertension can result in the hardening of your arteries (atherosclerosis) from excess pressure. This typically decreases the flow of blood and oxygen to your heart, which can lead to other conditions such as:
- Severe chest pain, which can feel like a heart attack and is also known as angina
- A heart attack, which occurs when the heart’s blood supply is blocked causing the heart’s muscle cells to die due to a lack of oxygen
- Heart failure, which happens when the heart is unable to pump enough blood and oxygen to the rest of the body’s vital organs
- Irregular heartbeat, which can result in sudden death
- Burst or blocked arteries, which can cause a stroke
- Kidney damage and kidney failure, which can be fatal
Hypertension is a serious condition that may grow more severe as you get older. The more severe high blood pressure gets, the more difficult it can be to manage. However, it’s not only manageable but preventable — and in some cases, reversible in its earlier stages.
It’s helpful to speak to your doctor to learn more about hypertension and the steps you can take to manage or prevent this health condition. If you have concerns about your blood pressure, make an appointment with your primary care physician to get started.