What Is High Blood Pressure/Hypertension?

High blood pressure, also medically known as hypertension, in layman’s term it is the increased blood flow due to the contraction and tension of the arteries which causes the blood pressure to rise. High BP is not a disease; however, it more characterized as a disorder of the cardiovascular system. Often, this disorder can lead to heart failures, attacks and even strokes. Some signs of high blood pressure involve to nausea, dizziness, chest pain, and difficulty in breathing and even blurred vision, although most people have no symptoms. Also, generally people whom experience these symptoms do not seek medical advice since the symptoms usually disappear over time. However, if left untreated for a long period of time, it can lead to stroke, kidney failure and even cardiac arrest.

– There are several possible causes of hypertension, and one of the most common cause is emotional stress. Being emotionally stressed triggers our glands produce hormones and enzymes which causes the heart and the arteries to “tension up”. The increased pressure causes the aforementioned symptoms.

– Other important factors involved diet too. Unhealthy diets with unhealthy amounts of cholesterol can cause blockages in the arteries and veins, and also it is known that cholesterol can harden them. Hypertension relates to this specifically since arteries need to compensate by contraction and relaxation when blood flows through it.

– Other causes that can attribute to high blood pressure can be genetic. As everyone knows, genetics is a force to reckon with, so the disorder can be passed down to several generations. If you know someone in your family that may have suffered any form of cardiovascular diseases, it is better consult your physician immediately as prevention is always better than cure.

However, there is a silver lining to hypertensive disorder. There are certain measures that a person can take to prevent hypertension and commonly it’s a change of lifestyle, and even environment. Also, early detection of the sickness can prevent further ailments, which can result from hypertension. Seeking medical advises as soon as the symptoms present it can help a lot. Once detected, there are drugs that can be taken to relieve it or to prevent it. ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and channel calcium blockers are examples to name a few.

The “silent killer” known as hypertension need not be a bother if detected and treated early. Keeping a healthy lifestyle is the best way to keep your body healthy and hypertension-free.