What is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure or hypertension is the force of the blood as it pumps through the arteries.
It is different in different types of vessels but the term "high blood pressure" when not specified otherwise refers to Arterial pressure.
In the systemic circulation, when the heart contracts and pumps blood into the aorta, your blood pressure is recorded as two numbers: Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure.
Systolic & Diastolic
In the systemic circulation, when the heart contracts and pumps blood into the aorta, your blood pressure is recorded as two numbers: Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure.
The Systolic blood pressure indicates the pressure when the heart pushes blood out
and Diastolic indicates the pressure when your heart rests between beats and
is often measured in the brachial artery in millimeters of Mercury(mmhg).
So, normal systolic blood pressure is defined as less than 120 mmhg and normal Diastolic blood pressure is less than 80mmhg.
Stages of Arterial Hypertension
Stage 1: It is between 130-139 mmhg in the Systolic side and 80-89 mmhg in the Diastolic side.
Stage 2: It is defined as anything which is 140 mmhg or higher in the Systolic side and 90 mmHg or higher on the diastolic side.
Some times we can find Systolic or Diastolic hypertension when one number is normal and the other is very high and it is known as Isolated Systolic Blood Pressure or Isolated Diastolic.
Blood pressure normally shows a daily pattern and is usually lower at night.
During day time it fluctuates with physical activities and emotional states.
Effects of Arterial Hypertension
Hypertension is generally a silent condition and does not cause symptoms on its own, but it slowly damages blood vessels and in the long term is a major risk factor for a variety of cardiovascular diseases such as organ damage, renal failure, or vision loss.
Why is it called a "silent condition"?
Arterial Hypertension is known as the silent killer because you may be walking around with a very very high blood pressure with absolutely no symptoms at all and feeling perfectly fine and that is why it is wise to have your blood pressure checked frequently.
Causes of HTA
HTA can be classified as Primary Hypertension or Essential Hypertension and has no apparent cause and may develop as a result of old age, obesity, high salt diet, lack of exercise, smoking, and drinking. Also maybe from gene mutations or genetic abnormalities inherited from your parents.
Secondary hypertension is caused by an underlying condition stroke, kidney disease, problems with your thyroid, and side effects of medications.
How to Control High Blood Pressure?
To control high blood pressure, it starts with lifestyle. It is actually very helpful starting some good changes with your diet, doing physical exercise, relaxation, and meditation.
Please meet your doctor if you have any problems with your blood pressure.
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