What is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure is a blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher.
Both numbers are important. Nearly 1 in 3 adults has high blood pressure. Once high blood pressure develops,
it usually lasts a lifetime. The good news is that it can be treated and controlled. High blood pressure is called
the silent killer because it usually has no symptoms. Some people may not find out they have it until they have
trouble with their heart, brain, or kidneys.
When high blood pressure is not found and treated, it can cause:
1: The heart to get larger, which may lead to heart failure.
2: Blood vessels in the kidney to narrow, which may cause kidney failure.
3: Blood vessels in the eyes to burst or bleed, which may cause vision changes and can result in blindness.
High Blood Pressure Symptoms:
High blood pressure is usually not associated with symptoms. However the following may occur
1 Headache
2 Dizziness
3 Blurred vision
4 Nausea
What causes high blood pressure?
Two forms of high blood pressure have been described:
essential (or primary) hypertension and
secondary hypertension.
Essential hypertension is a far more common condition and accounts for 95% of hypertension. The cause of essential hypertension is
multifactorial, i.e there are several factors whose combined effects produce hypertension. In secondary hypertension, which accounts
for 5% of hypertension, the high blood pressure is secondary to (caused by) a specific abnormality in one of the organs or systems of the body.
The vast majority of patients with essential hypertension have in common a particular abnormality of the arteries:
an increased resistance (stiffness or lack of elasticity) in the tiny arteries that are most distant from the heart
(peripheral arteries or arterioles). The arterioles supply oxygen–containing blood and nutrients to all of the tissues of the body.
The arterioles are connected by capillaries in the tissues to the veins (the venous system), which returns the blood to the heart and lungs.
Just what makes the peripheral arteries become stiff is not known. Yet, this increased peripheral arteriolar stiffness is present in those
individuals whose essential hypertension is associated with genetic factors, obesity, lack of exercise, overuse of salt, and aging.
Inflammation also may play a role in hypertension since a predictor of the development of hypertension is the presence of an elevated
C reactive protein level (a blood test marker of inflammation) in some individuals.
BLOOD PRESSURE RANGES AND ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN
| Blood Pressure Category | Ranges for Most Adults (systolic/diastolic) | Actions Taken after Initial Diagnosis |
| B Optimal Blood Pressure | Systolic below 120 mm Hg
Diastolic below 80 mm Hg | No action |
| C Normal Blood Pressure | Systolic 120 to 130 mm Hg
Diastolic 80 to 85 mm Hg | Rechecked every two years. |
| D High Normal Blood Pressure | Systolic 130 to 139 mm Hg
Diastolic 85 to 89 mm Hg | Blood pressure monitored at home and patient should be evaluated for organ damage. |
Blood Pressure in Children
A child's blood pressure is normally much lower than an adult's. Children are at risk for hypertension if they exceed the following levels:
1 Ages three to five: 116/76
2 Ages six to nine: 122/78
3 Ages 10 to 12: 126/82
4 Ages 13 to 15: 136/86
Are there medicines that can help?
Many people need medicine to control high blood pressure. Two groups of medications called ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme)
inhibitors and ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers)
lower blood pressure and have an added protective effect on the kidney in people with diabetes. Additional studies have shown that ACE inhibitors
and ARBs also reduce proteinuria and slow the progression of kidney damage in people who do not have diabetes. You may need to take a
combination of two or more blood pressure medicines to stay below 130/80. Your doctor may also prescribe a diuretic in addition to your
ACE inhibitor or ARB. Diuretics are also called "water pills" because they help you urinate and get rid of excess fluid in your body.
Medical Treatment:
In about half of people with high blood pressure, limiting sodium intake by eliminating table salt, cooking salt, and salty and processed foods
can reduce blood pressure by 5 mm Hg. Losing weight and doing regular physical activity can reduce the blood pressure further.
If these lifestyle changes and choices don’t work, medications should be added. The medications have been proven to reduce the risk of stroke,
heart disease, and kidney problems. Do not stop taking your medications without talking to your health care provider.
Other Therapy:
Alternative therapies may be helpful to people trying to control their blood pressure.
1. A Acupuncture and biofeedback are well–accepted alternative techniques that may help some people with high blood pressure.
2. Techniques that induce relaxation and reduce stress are recommended. These include meditation, yoga, and relaxation training.
These techniques alone will not keep the blood pressure in the healthy range for many people. Do not use these as a substitute for
medical therapy without first talking this over with your health care provider.
Written by:
Parneet Ask her your health related questions at pallavi[at]hungrybangalore[dot]com.
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