High blood pressure (hypertension) develops over time. It may develop through natural causes, for example by ageing or genetics. And it can also develop through unhealthy lifestyle choices such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, not enough exercise, eating an unhealthy diet, and being overweight.

High blood pressure (hypertension) is defined as stage 1 if your numbers are above 130/80. Stage 2 high blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. Normal pressure is 120/80 or lower.

Why is hypertension bad?

Having a high blood pressure can seriously affect your health. It can cause damage to many organs, such as your heart, liver, kidneys, and brain. Hypertension is often known as the “silent killer” as is may show no symptoms. Having high blood pressure can cause fatty substances (plaque) to stick to the inside of the walls of your blood vessels. This increased build-up of plaque can lead towards severe narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis) which increases your risk of heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular disease.

How to manage hypertension:

The first stage of treatment for hypertension is implementing lifestyle changes. Examples of this include exercising more often, reducing your salt intake in your diet, quitting smoking, reducing your alcohol consumption, and losing weight (if necessary).

Along with lifestyle changes, medication can also be taken to manage hypertension. Medication includes ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, vasodilators and more. All of these medications have risks and benefits, and you should speak to your doctor to determine which medication is best for you. Most people take more than one type of medication in order to lower their blood pressure and bring it down to their treatment goal. If you are prescribed medication, make sure to continue to take them until your doctor tells you otherwise.

 

Bibliography:

https://www.webmd.com/ hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/blood-pressure-causes

https://www.fda.gov/ drugs/special-features/high-blood-pressure-understanding-silent-killer

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