High BP is a big issue in both men and women. One in every three adult American people, almost 65 million, have hypertension. There is a chance that many more will develop it. It impacts more than half of all Americans 60 years of age and more, and 90 percent of them will develop high BP in their lifetime.
More details
Generally, blood pressure increases with time and age. The risk of high BP starts to climb when people cross the age of 45, although it may happen in younger adults. Black people generally experience more severe hypertension and develop it earlier.
Family history or past experience of high blood pressure and obesity also enhances risk.
High Blood pressure is mainly harmful because people may have it for years without realizing it. 1 in 3 Americans actually does not realize they have the condition.
High blood pressure is not inevitable, despite these depressing statistics. There are plenty of things you may do to prevent, postpone, and treat the condition.
What is hypertension (High BP)
Hypertension is a common condition that generally impacts the body’s arteries. High blood pressure is another name for it. If you have high BP, the force of the blood applying against the arterial walls is constantly too high. The heart has to show greater efforts to pump blood.
BP is measured in millimeters of mm HG (mercury). Hypertension is commonly defined as a BP measurement of 130/80 mm Hg or more.
Symptoms of hypertension or high blood pressure
Most people with high BP have no symptoms, even if BP readings reach dangerously extreme or high levels. It’s possible to have hypertension or high BP without experiencing any symptoms.
A few people with High BP can have-
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches
- Nosebleeds
However, these symptoms are not particular. Usually, they don’t appear until hypertension has reached a severe or dangerous stage.
Risk factors
Hypertension or high BP has various risk factors, such as
- Family history
- Age
- Lack of exercise
- Too much salt
- Stress
- Drinking too much alcoholic beverages
- Specific chronic conditions
- Pregnancy
Treatment of hypertension
Lifestyle modifications may help manage and control hypertension. Your healthcare expert can recommend that you make lifestyle modifications such as
- Getting daily physical activity
- Taking a less salty heart-healthy diet
- Limiting alcohol
- Avoid smoking
- Losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight
- Getting 7-9 hours of proper sleep
Sometimes, lifestyle changes are not enough or effective to treat hypertension. You may ask your healthcare expert for medicine as it may help to lower your hypertension or BP.
Medicines
Medicines used to treat hypertension or high BP include-
- Diuretics or water pills
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
- Calcium channel blockers
Other medicines
If you have issues treating your condition from the above-mentioned medicines, your healthcare expert may prescribe-
- Alpha-beta blockers
- Alpha-blockers
- Beta-blockers
- Vasodilators
- Renin-inhibitors
- Aldosterone antagonists
- Central-acting agents
You should always take BP drugs as prescribed. Do not skip a dose or suddenly stop using BP medicines.
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