Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a common health condition where the force of blood against the walls of your blood vessels is consistently too high. This can cause damage to your blood vessels, as well as your heart and other organs, over time.
Your blood pressure is measured in two numbers, with the top number (systolic pressure) measuring the pressure when your heart beats and the bottom number (diastolic pressure) measuring the pressure when your heart rests between beats. A normal blood pressure reading is usually around 120/80 mmHg or below, while hypertension is typically defined as a blood pressure reading of 130/80 mmHg or higher.
What symptoms do you notice when you have hypertension?
Hypertension often has no noticeable symptoms, which is why it’s sometimes called the “silent killer.” However, over time, hypertension can increase your risk of serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and vision loss.
If you’re concerned about your blood pressure or have a family history of hypertension, it’s important to get regular check-ups with a General Physician at Sri Anand Child and Neuro Center to monitor your blood pressure levels. With proper management, many people with hypertension can reduce their risk of complications and live healthy, fulfilling lives.
What are complications of Hypertension?
Complications of hypertension, or high blood pressure, can affect various parts of the body and can be serious if left untreated. Here are some common complications of hypertension:
- Heart disease: Over time, high blood pressure can damage the arteries that supply blood to the heart, leading to a buildup of plaque and an increased risk of heart disease. This can include conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, and heart attack.
- Stroke: Hypertension can also increase the risk of stroke, which occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked or interrupted. This can cause damage to brain cells and may result in long-term disability or death.
- Kidney Disease: The kidneys play a key role in regulating blood pressure, and hypertension can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys over time. This can lead to a variety of kidney problems, including chronic kidney disease and kidney failure.
- Vision loss: High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in the eyes, leading to vision problems or even blindness.
- Peripheral artery disease: Hypertension can also affect the blood vessels in the arms and legs, causing peripheral artery disease. This can result in reduced blood flow to the limbs and may cause pain, weakness, or numbness.
- Sexual dysfunction: High blood pressure can also affect sexual function in both men and women, leading to issues such as erectile dysfunction or reduced sexual desire.
Managing hypertension through lifestyle changes and, if necessary, medication can help reduce the risk of these complications. It’s important to monitor blood pressure levels regularly and work with a General Physician to develop a treatment plan that’s right for you.
KNOW YOUR NUMBERS – “Hypertension Awareness: Know Your Numbers for Better Health”
It’s important to understand what blood pressure levels are considered normal, elevated, or indicative of hypertension, as well as what blood pressure targets to aim for when managing hypertension.
- Diagnosing hypertension: A blood pressure reading of 130/80 mmHg or higher is considered indicative of hypertension. Blood pressure readings that consistently fall between 120/80 mmHg and 129/89 mmHg are considered elevated and may be a sign of prehypertension.
- Blood pressure targets: The target blood pressure for most adults with hypertension is less than 130/80 mmHg. However, blood pressure targets may vary depending on factors such as age, overall health, and the presence of other medical conditions.
Consult Dr. Anand, General Physician, to develop an individualized treatment plan for managing hypertension that takes into account these targets as well as any other factors that may be affecting blood pressure. This may include making lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and managing stress, as well as taking medications as prescribed. Regular monitoring of blood pressure levels can help track progress and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.