High blood pressure(HBP) or (hypertension) is a serious condition that affects one in three Americans, and because it causes little or no symptoms, it has become known as "the silent killer".
If high blood pressure is left unchecked, it can lead to a host of life threatening conditions such as coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease is a condition where plaque builds up within arteries that supply oxygen rich blood to the heart muscle. High blood pressure can also lead to heart failure or the inability of the heart muscle to pump blood with enough force to the rest of the body. Since having a high blood pressure obstructs oxygen rich blood throughout the body, it can lead to stroke where the brain is blocked of needed blood. Another serious condition that can be brought on by high blood pressure is kidney failure. Kidney failure also called end-stage renal disease or (ESRD) occurs when blood vessels in the kidneys becomes damaged due to the heart having to work harder. Eventually, the high blood pressure will lead to the stopping of waste removal in the kidneys, so having a consistently high blood pressure leads to terrible consequences.
High Blood Pressure Symptoms
Although people can live for many years with an elevated blood pressure without showing any signs, there is still high blood pressure symptoms associated with this condition. High blood pressure symptoms are subtle signs that may occur when there are constrictions within the heart and arteries. One of the most common high blood pressure symptoms are vision problems. When a person develops hypertension, they may experience blurred vision due the conditions damage of blood vessels in the retina. Other high blood pressure symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and chest pain. While many people experience each of these symptoms at one time or another, blood pressure should be checked regularly, especially if there is a history of (HBP) within a family. If any of these symptoms are experienced, a doctor should be called immediately. A failure to do so could lead to stroke.
High Blood Pressure Treatments
The bad news is that a person who exhibits any combination of high blood pressure symptoms is more than likely to have an elevated blood pressure. The good news is that even with an elevated blood pressure, through a healthy lifestyle change; many problems associated with the condition can be managed or avoided all together.
A Healthy Lifestyle Change
While in advance stages of illness where medication may be needed, many people are able to reverse the damage caused by elevated blood pressure by simply modifying their lifestyle. The key is to adopt a healthy lifestyle change. A healthy lifestyle change consists of exercise, diet, stress reduction, and medication.
Get physical-Physical activities such as walking, running, or aerobics not only benefit all areas of the body but also lower blood pressure. Maintaining a healthy weight is important and any smoking should be avoided.
Diet-A diet low in fat and sodium with plenty of lean meat, fruit, and vegetables are recommended to control blood pressure. In addition, salt should be limited to one teaspoon per day.
Stress reduction-Managing stress helps the body by learning to relax. Meditation, yoga or tai chi are good options.
Medication-Your doctor may prescribe medicine. It is important to take the recommended dose combined with a healthy lifestyle.
Finally, having hypertension is not a death sentence. The most important factor is becoming educated about the condition, having a plan and following a doctor's advice. By choosing to change to a healthier lifestyle, people with hypertension can live long and happier lives.
