What are the Symptoms of High Blood Pressures?
In order to live well and better guard yourself, you might be wondering what are the symptoms of high blood pressure?. I would advise that you read this article till the end, to find out all that you need to know about the dreaded high blood pressure.
Let’s start by knowing what actually is high blood pressure.
High blood pressure redefined for first time in 14 years: 130 is …
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High blood pressure is now defined as readings of 130 mm Hg and higher for the systolic blood pressure measurement, or readings of 80 and higher …
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https://www.cedars-sinai.org › diseases-and-conditions
Normal blood pressure is systolic of less than 120 and diastolic of less than 80 (120/80). Elevated blood pressure is systolic of 120 to 129 and diastolic less …
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Your total blood pressure reading is determined by measuring your systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Systolic blood pressure, the top number, …
Blood pressure numbers & what they mean – HealthPartners
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Are your blood pressure numbers high, elevated or normal? Learn what your readings mean and what you should do for healthy blood pressure.
What is High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is otherwise known as the “silent killer” occurs when your blood pressure increases to unhealthy levels. Your blood pressure measurement considers how much blood is passing through your blood vessels as well as the amount of resistance the blood meets while the heart is pumping.
Just as the name implies, ‘silent killer’, this means that many people may not experience any symptoms. It may take years or even decades for the condition to reach levels that are severe enough for the symptoms to become obvious.
Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
Most times there are no symptoms for high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a largely symptomless ‘silent killer’. Thus if you waiting for symptoms before you start paying attention to your health, you may be doing yourself more harm than good.
Other Inconclusively Related Symptoms
Some symptoms may be indirectly linked to, but are not always caused by high blood pressure like:
- Blood spots in the eye
- Facial flushing
Understanding High Blood Pressure
Understand that narrow arteries resistance, means that the narrow your arteries are, the higher your blood pressure will be. Over the long term, increased pressure may cause health issues, including heart disease.
High blood pressure is quite common and typically develops over the course of several years. Now those who suffer from this ailment may not notice any symptoms. However, even without symptoms, high blood. Pressure can cause damage to your blood vessels and organs. Mostly the brain, heart, eyes, and kidneys.
Detecting high blood pressure early. nough is very important, and it can be achieved through regular blood pressure readings, which can help you and your doctor notice any changes early enough. Once your blood pressure shoots up, your doctor may have you check your blood pressure over a few weeks. To detect if the number stays elevated, or if it falls back to normal levels.
Understand that two numbers create a blood pressure reading:
Systolic pressure: This is the first or top number, that indicates the blood pressure in your arteries when your heart beats and pumps out blood.
Diastolic pressure: This is the second, or bottom, number, which is the reading of the pressure in your arteries between the beats of your heart.
The Five Categories that Defines Blood Pressure Readings for Adults:
Healthy: A healthy blood pressure reading is one that is less than 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Elevated: In this category, the systolic number is between 120 and 129 mm Hg, and the diastolic number is less than 80 mm Hg.
Stage 1 Hypertension: The systolic number is between 130 and 139 mm Hg, or the diastolic number is between 80 and 89 mm Hg.
Stage 2 Hypertension: Here, the systolic number stands at 140 mm Hg or higher, or the diastolic number is 90 mm Hg or higher.
Hypertensive crisis: At this level, the systolic number is over 180 mm Hg, or the diastolic number is over 120 mm Hg. At this stage, blood pressure requires urgent medical attention. If any symptoms like chest pain, headache, shortness of breath or visual changes occur when blood pressure is high, then there may be a need for medical emergency care.
A blood pressures reading is carried out with a pressure cuff. For the reading to be accurate, you need a cuff that fits. An ill-fitting cuff may result in Inaccurate readings.
For children and teenagers, blood pressures readings are different. If you are asked to monitor your child’s blood pressure, ask your child’s doctor for the healthy ranges for your child.
Diagnosing High Blood Pressures
The recommendation according to AHA is:
- Don’t attempt to diagnose yourself, clinical diagnosis should only be made by a healthcare professional.
- Know your blood pressure numbers in order to make changes that matter to protect your health.
Treatment Options for High Blood Pressures
The factors that help your doctor in determining the best treatment option for you include the type of hypertension you have as well as what causes have been identified.
Primary Hypertension Treatment Options
If you are diagnosed with primary hypertension, by your doctor, lifestyle changes may help in reducing your high blood pressures. In a situation where only lifestyle changes cannot suffice or they stop being effective, then your doctor may prescribe medication.
Secondary Hypertension Treatment Options
If an underlying issue is the cause of your high blood pressures and it is discovered by your doctor, treatment will be focused on that other condition. Most times hypertension is persistent even when treated for the underlying cause. When this happens, your doctor may work with you to develop lifestyle changes as well as prescribe medications to help reduce your blood pressure.
Understand that treatment plans for hypertension often evolve. Thus, your doctor will keep working with you to refine your treatment.
