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High Blood Pressure: Why You Need To Keep Your Readings In Check?

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High blood pressure is one of the common problems that aged people suffer from. However, this problem is not only triggered in the aged people but nowadays, but targeting the in younger population too. While high blood pressure may not cause severe damage to the body in the short term, it can cause health issues related to the heart in the long term. That's why you must have basic knowledge about this health condition. So, in this blog, you'll learn everything about high blood pressure, including symptoms of high blood pressure, causes, risk factors, etc.

What is Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure refers to the increase in the pressure of blood. So, when the pressure goes beyond the normal, it's called high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a commonly used term, whereas the medical terminology for this condition is hypertension. Hypertension can cause various health implications, like heart attack, stroke, or other heart-related diseases.

However, the blood pressure in the human body keeps fluctuating based on what activities are being performed. For example, if you run, it increases your blood pressure for a short time. Thus, it can't be called hypertension.

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

Unlike many other health issues, there are no high blood pressure symptoms that tell you if your blood pressure is high. That's why the only way it can be detected is to test your blood pressure. High blood pressure ranges from 140/90 mm Hg to above if you follow the 2003 guidelines. But, as of the guideline released in 2017, the range is 130/80 mm Hg and above.

However, some side effects of blood pressure can be:

• Shortness of breath

• Headache

• Heart palpitations

• Anxiety

• Dizziness

• Chest pain

• Blurry vision

• Nosebleed

• Vomiting

These side effects of high blood pressure are signs of hypertensive crisis or emergency, which is more severe than just high blood pressure.

When to see a Doctor?

In case of high blood pressure, you should first get it tested by a healthcare professional. If your blood pressure is 130/80 mm Hg or 140/90 mm Hg, it's considered stage 1 and 2 high blood pressure. In these cases, you can wait a while before getting it tested again. If the blood pressure goes normal, then there's nothing to worry about. Otherwise, see a doctor.

However, if your blood pressure reading is 180/120 mm Hg, then wait for only 5 minutes, get it tested again, and if it remains the same, see a doctor quickly. It's called a hypertensive emergency.

Hypertensive emergency is a severe condition and can cause severe damage to organs as well. That's why people with a risk of hypertensive emergency should have health insurance to cover these unexpected emergencies.

Causes of High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure causes due to various factors. Based on the reasons behind high blood pressure, there are two types of hypertension: Primary Hypertension and Second Hypertension.

Primary Hypertension

Primary hypertension, also known as essential hypertension, is a common type of hypertension whose exact causes are yet to be discovered. But it occurs over many years. The contributing factors can be genetics, lifestyle, and environment.

Secondary Hypertension

Secondary hypertension occurs due to other health conditions, like organ dysfunction or any other organ-related diseases. Here are some causes of secondary hypertension:

• Kidney Disease

• Adrenal Gland Tumour

• Thyroid Disorders

• Congenital Heart Defects

• Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

While you can prevent hypertension through a healthy lifestyle, having health insurance in place ensures your safety in case of any emergency. So, you should cover yourself and your loved ones with a comprehensive health insurance plan.

Risk Factors

Let's now look at some of the risk factors that can constitute hypertension, both primary and secondary:

Age

As a person grows up, the risk of hypertension also increases. Mostly, the complications come after 65.

Race

The African American race is put at a higher risk of high blood pressure, especially the adults of this race.

Family History

Hypertension can pass through the generations. Hence, a family history of hypertension increases the risk of it.

Obesity or being overweight

Being obese or overweight increases the risk of high blood pressure. The reason is that the heart and blood vessels go through high strain due to being overweight.

Lack of exercise

Lack of exercise can lead to an increase in weight, causing hypertension.

Tobacco use or vaping

Tobacco consumption and vaping are also linked to hypertension because they can constrict the blood vessels.

Too much salt

Since salt has a higher sodium value, consuming too much can cause high blood pressure.

Low potassium levels

Potassium helps regulate blood pressure. That's why a lack of potassium can cause hypertension.

Drinking too much alcohol

No level of alcohol consumption is safe, and it affects all the organs in the body, including the heart. So, it also increases the risk of hypertension.

Stress

Stress triggers unhealthy coping mechanisms, like overeating or excessive alcohol consumption. That's why it can indirectly put you at risk of hypertension.

Wrapping Up

This is everything you should know about hypertension, its causes, symptoms, and risk factors. Seeing a doctor in case of high blood pressure is crucial if the condition escalates. Continuous medical treatment is also important if you are suffering from secondary hypertension. However, you can avoid primary hypertension by chasing a healthy and active lifestyle.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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