High Blood Pressure Symptoms

High Blood pressure (BP) or hypertension is a condition of having above normal blood pressure. This hub outlines what is normal pressure, what is high and how to deal with the condition.

BP measurement has two values - a higher number called systolic and a lower number called diastolic each related to heart pumping out the blood and blood coming back to the heart. The unit for pressure is millimeters of mercury column or mm Hg. The numbers given by electronic monitors are directly calibrated in to these units.

A healthy adult normal BP has the measurements of 120/80 mm Hg.

Children and Athletes may have lower pressures up to 90/60. Below 90/60, BP is considered low.

A reading of 140/90 is considered mildly high or stage 1.

A reading above 160/100 is considered moderately high or stage 2.

BP above 180/110 is considered as severely high or stage 3

And BP above 200/120 is considered very severely high or stage 4.

It is estimated that one in three adults across the world has more than normal pressure.

Unfortunately hypertension does not have any specific symptoms and so can be misleading. Some people may get head ache and giddiness but since these are general symptoms common for many other problems, it is easy to ignore them.

Because of this reason, it is important to measure BP regularly and know your numbers even if the pressure is normal.

Though high BP does not have any symptoms initially, when left prolonged, it causes many complications and this is when many people realize the problem.

Having consistently high pressure damages the body and the effects are visible in terms of complications over a period of time. Some of the possible complications are:

• Heart can become enlarged and/or heart muscles can become weaker causing problems in pumping of the blood.
• Hypertension can cause bulges in the blood vessels, medically called aneurysms.
• Arteries in any part of the body can become narrow causing issues with blood flow. This can result in stroke or heart attack, kidney failure and other major complications.
• Blood vessels in the eyes can burst causing vision problems.

This may look scary but fortunately all these complications can be easily avoided by identifying high pressure in time and using prescribed medication along with a change in life style.

Fortunately these days, we have handy monitors which can be used at home. Recent studies show that home BP monitors can keep the pressure in check as well as possibly cut down on medication.

Hypertension can be easily managed through medication and better life style. A timely awareness of high BP can effectively reduce any complications that can arise.

Hypertension can be easily controlled by natural ways as well as medications. Here are some ways hypertension is addressed:

- change of diet and exercise, working towards weight loss

- relaxation, meditation, biofeedback

- medication

Medication for BP treatment involves different methods of handling the problems. Some commonly used medication groups are described here:

• Diuretics: Diuretics take away water from the body, reducing the overall blood quantity and so the effect of hormones on the blood.
• Beta blockers: Beta blockers reduce heart rate there by reducing the pumped blood and pressure. Beta blockers are effective, however can cause fatigue and reduce the exercise tolerance.
• Calcium Channel blockers: Calcium channel blockers relax the artery walls there by reducing the pressure on the walls.
• Direct Vasodilators: These medicines dilate or relax the blood vessels so that the blood flow is increased and pressure is reduced.
• Many other chemicals use different methods of handling the elevated BP.

There are many kinds of medications available for high BP treatment and doctors prescribe the right medicine based on the nature of the problem and the medical history of a particular person.

High BP or hypertension can be easily controlled with a combination of life style changes and medication. Have a regular checkup to lead a normal, healthy life.