Hypertension

Hypertension

        Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition in which the force of the blood against your artery walls is too high. There are two different types of high blood pressure; primary hypertension and secondary hypertension. Primary hypertension has no identifiable cause, and it develops gradually over many years. Secondary hypertension is caused by an underlying condition. It causes higher blood pressure than primary hypertension and it appears suddenly. Conditions such as thyroid problems, kidney problems, obstructive sleep apnea, adrenal gland tumors, congenital blood vessel defects, certain medications, and alcohol and drug abuse can lead to secondary hypertension.

Some people get nervous when they are at a doctor which causes their blood pressure to elevate, so before the doctors diagnose a patient with hypertension they take multiple blood pressure readings at three or more separate appointments. Once diagnosed with hypertension, your doctor may suggest changing certain lifestyle choices, or using medications. Getting rid of excess salt and fluid helps to lower blood pressure and can make it easier for your heart too pump so the doctors may prescribe diuretics, or water pills. Diuretics help your body get rid of unneeded water and salt through urine. Beta blockers are prescribed to open your blood vessels, which reduce the workload on your heart. Eating a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight are good ways to prevent hypertension. Avoiding smoking tobacco, limiting alcohol, and managing stress are also good ways to prevent high blood pressure.

When hypertension goes untreated blood vessels can become scarred, hardened, and less elastic which can cause them to become blocked, or even burst. The blood vessels in your brain can become narrower or blocked, which can cause abnormal brain function, bleeding in the brain, and strokes. When the blood vessels in your kidneys get narrower or blocked, they lose the ability to function. Impaired vision and eventually blindness are results of the blood vessels in your eyes becoming blocked. The heart has to pump extra hard to try to get the blood through the blocked blood vessels, which causes the heart to weaken.  If not managed correctly, hypertension can lead to heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure.