What is Hypertension?
Hypertension is a condition that can lead to heart problems. When a person has high blood pressure, the blood hits the arterial walls with more force. High blood pressure is very common. In fact, almost everyone eventually develops it over a long period of time.
There are two kinds of hypertension, and each one occurs under different circumstances. The first kind doesn’t have a specific cause. It’s called primary hypertension, and it’s the most common form of hypertension in adults. This is also the kind that can take several years to develop.
Secondary hypertension is usually caused by another, underlying condition. This type of hypertension happens suddenly instead of over a long period of time, and it will usually cause blood pressure to spike higher than it would with primary hypertension. There are several medical conditions and medications that can cause secondary hypertension, including kidney or thyroid problems, obstructive sleep apnea, adrenal gland tumors, and congenital defects with the blood vessels. Illegal drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines, can also cause blood pressure to spike. Finally, some prescription and over-the-counter medications, such as birth control and cold remedies, can cause the blood pressure to spike while the person is taking them.
There are several common risk factors, including age, weight, race, family history, diet, and nicotine use. Risk of primary hypertension goes up with age and weight, and people with a family history are more likely to develop primary hypertension. High-salt diets and nicotine use will also increase the likelihood of developing high blood pressure. Finally, African Americans are more likely than other racial groups to develop high blood pressure at a younger age.
Symptoms of Hypertension
Hypertension can go undiagnosed for years because there aren’t necessarily any symptoms of this condition for a very long time. This is why it is commonly referred to as the “silent killer.” In fact, many people can have their blood pressure reach dangerously high levels and still not have any symptoms.
People who do experience symptoms when their levels get very high might get headaches, nosebleeds, or shortness of breath. But because not everyone experiences these symptoms, and because people only experience them when the levels are dangerous, all adults should have their blood pressure regularly monitored by a doctor. People can also monitor their blood pressure at home.
To monitor blood pressure levels, the doctor or the individual with high blood pressure can take the blood pressure levels by using an inflatable arm cuff. Another way that people can monitor their blood pressure is by using the free blood pressure machine that is often available at drug stores and in the pharmacy departments of large department stores.
Although not everyone develops them, there are several types of potential complications to hypertension. For instance, trouble with memory and onset of dementia earlier in a person’s life can sometimes be signs of hypertension. Heart attack, stroke, and aneurisms are also signs of hypertension, but hypertension is so common that people should never wait for these conditions to present themselves to seek treatment.
Treatment for Hypertension
The exact reason for hypertension will somewhat affect what kind of treatment the person will receive. If the reason for hypertension is the use of illegal drugs or a prescription drug that can be replaced with a substitute that won’t cause high blood pressure, switching out the drug or quitting it might be the best option.
A doctor might also prescribe blood pressure medications. Thiazide diuretics are one type of medication that can help with reducing blood pressure by lowering the volume of blood by helping the kidneys filter out salt.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are another type of medication that doctors can prescribe. This type of medicine works by helping the blood vessels to relax. This is often used with people with chronic kidney disease.
Calcium channel blockers are another type of medication that doctors prescribe to help with high blood pressure. This type of medication can also help the blood vessels relax.
Lifestyle choices can affect people’s blood pressure, so people with hypertension need to take special care to follow a prescribed diet, get plenty of exercise, and quit nicotine use. Along with being cautious of what a person eats, they should also be aware of how much alcohol they consume.
Less commonly, alpha blockers, alpha-beta blockers, beta blockers, aldosterone antagonists, renin inhibitors, vasodilators, and central-acting agents can sometimes be prescribed to control high blood pressure.
