Hypertension- everything you need to know

Hypertension also known as high blood pressure is a medical condition in which the blood pressure[ the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of the arteries]  in the arteries rises above the normal pressure. 

In cases of hypertension, the blood pressure is constantly high, which is a major risk factor for stroke, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease and is said to be a major cause of premature death.

Signs and symptoms of hypertension

Rarely do people with hypertension have symptoms; instead, it is usually discovered through screening or when a patient goes to the doctor for another cause.

Aside headaches (especially in the back of the head and in the morning), some persons with high blood pressure also experience dizziness, vertigo, a buzzing or hissing sensation in the ears, blurry vision, and anxiety attacks. 

These symptoms, however, have connections to the underlying anxiety secondary hypertension rather than the high blood pressure itself.

Secondary hypertension, which has a known etiology and may induce specific extra symptoms, is high blood pressure. Cushing’s disease, for instance, commonly results in truncal obesity, insulin resistance, moon face,  buffalo hump[a hump of fat behind the neck and shoulders ], and purplish abdomen stretch marks in addition to high blood pressure. 

Weight loss accompanied by an increased appetite, a rapid heartbeat, drooping eyes, and tremors is common symptoms of hyperthyroidism. A local abdominal bruit to the left or right of the midline (unilateral RAS) or in both places may be a sign of renal artery stenosis (RAS) (bilateral RAS). Blood pressure in the lower extremities is frequently lower than in the arms due to coarctation of the aorta, or absent femoral arterial pulse.

During pregnancy, high blood pressure can be classified as preexisting hypertension, gestational hypertension[the development of new hypertension in pregnant women after 20 weeks gestation], and pre-eclampsia[ s disorder of pregnancy characterized by the onset of high blood pressure and high amount of protein in urine]. Hypertension happens in approximately 8-10% of pregnancies. 

Children who are newborns or young infants may experience hypertension, which has been li to developmental delays, seizures, irritability, fatigue, and breathing difficulties. A headache, unexplained irritability, weariness, inability to thrive, vision problems, bloody noses, and trigeminal neuralgia can all be symptoms of hypertension in older infants and children.

Causes of hypertension

A definite cause of hypertension is almost identifiable. The most frequent secondary cause of hypertension is kidney dysfunction. Acromegaly, Conn’s syndrome or hyperaldosteronism, renal artery stenosis.

hyperparathyroidism, and pheochromocytoma are a few more endocrine disorders that can result in hypertension. Obesity, sleep apnea, pregnancy, coarctation of the aorta, excessive liquorice consumption, excessive alcohol consumption, some prescription medications such as contraceptive drugs, steroids, some pharmacy drugs,  herbal treatments, and stimulants including caffeine, cocaine, and methamphetamine are other causes of secondary hypertension. 

Arsenic exposure from drinking water is being related to increased blood pressure. There is a connection between ypertension, depression, and loneliness. 

When ageing combines with contemporary unhealthy food and lifestyle, blood pressure rises, and there is a substantial chance of developing hypertension later in life. The environment has an impact on blood pressure in several ways. 

In individuals who are hypersensitive to salt, eating a lot of salt raises blood pressure; in some situations, obesity and inactivity may also be factors. Other factors like caffeine use and vitamin D insufficiency may also be at play, but their effects are less certain. Insulin resistance, which is associated to syndrome X (also known as metabolic syndrome) and is frequent in obese persons, influences hypertension.

The genetic inheritance of high blood pressure is challenging, with no particular gene known to play a key role. Instead, many genes, each with minor effects, react to various environmental cues to affect blood pressure. 

According to family and twin research on the heritability of blood pressure, genetic variables account for 30% to 50% of the variance in blood pressure measurements, with the other 50% attributable to environmental influences.

Preliminary studies on high blood pressure identified specific enzymes, networks, and receptors implicating sodium handling in the regulation of blood pressure.

These genes included the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which regulates blood pressure and salt-water homeostasis, proteins involved in hormonal regulation of blood pressure (mineral- and glucocorticoid-receptor enzymes and receptors), and proteins encoded by genes involved in blood pressure structure and/or regulation.

Diagnosis and testing of hypertension 

When the reading of the blood pressure is 130/80 mm Hg or higher, high blood pressure (hypertension), is diagnosed. To diagnose high blood pressure, take the average of two or more measurements at various periods and evaluate. 

According to how high it is, we divide blood pressure into groups. Staging refers to this and it aids treatment. 

stage one hypertension. The highest reading is between 130 and 139 mm Hg, and the lowest reading falls between 80 and 89 mm Hg. 

hypertension in stage 2. If the bottom number is 90 mm Hg or higher, the top number must be at least 90 mm Hg.

Continuous inspection. An extended BP monitoring test examines the blood pressure continuously for about six or twenty-four hours. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring refers to this. The test equipment isn’t, however, accessible in every medical facility. 

Experiments in the lab. In order to look for conditions that may worsen or cause high blood pressure, we perform blood and urine tests. Tests are performed, for instance, to measure your blood sugar and cholesterol levels. The function of your thyroid, liver, and kidneys may also be examined through laboratory tests.

Prevention and Treatment

Living a healthy lifestyle and diet helps prevent hypertension.

•  Eating a heart-healthy diet with less salt
• Getting regular physical activity
• Maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight
• Limiting alcohol
• Not smoking
• Getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep daily

However some medications can reduce high blood pressure

• Water pills 
• Angiotensin 2 receptor blocker
• Calcium channel blocker
• Renin inhibitors 
• Vasodilators

Note : Take all drugs with prescription or advice from the doctors. Visit us today.