Hypertension
What is Hypertension?
There are two types of high blood pressure: essential or primary hypertension and secondary hypertension.Although the exact cause of primary hypertension is unknown, underlying causes include heredity, obesity, lack of exercise, diet -including salt intake, cigarette smoking, sex, race, age, and even personality. Over 90 percent of all hypertensives fall into the primary category.
Secondary hypertension may be linked to kidney disease, endocrine disorders, use of oral contraceptives, and excessive use of alcohol.
There is some evidence that continual stress can trigger changes within the body that raise blood pressure and keep it high. However, the common myth that 'nerves' or "a fit of rage" can bring on hypertension simply isn't true. High blood pressure is a disease; and even though it is often "silent," it must be treated promptly, exactly as directed by your physician.
Changes in the arteries can complicate the problem. Normally the arteries are rather springy; in addition to expanding and contracting in rhythm with the heart, they adjust themselves to the volume of the blood and to other conditions within the body, stretching or tightening up as necessary to raise, lower, or maintain blood pressure. Various factors -- stress, for instance -- as well as diet, heredity, lifestyle, and aging, have a negative effect on the arteries. They become less elastic and thus less able to adjust to changes in the body; and they tend to become coated with arterial cholesterol plaque, a fatty deposit that clogs them, just as deposits in your house's pipes can cause your sink to back up.
This condition, called atherosclerosis, can obstruct coronary arteries, and can lead to a stroke if arteries that supply blood to the brain become blocked.
Be wise, live healthy.
Hypertension Symptoms
Most people with primary hypertension don't have any obvious symptoms at all, also the possible symptoms of hypertension vary quite a lot from person to person. These symptoms could also be symptoms of other health problems, however here are a few of the more common symptoms of hypertension to look out for.- One of the symptoms of hypertension is chronic headaches. When you get chronic headaches that last for days (rather than hours) you should immediately see a doctor and get your blood pressure checked.
- Dizziness or Vertigo
- Blurry or double vision.
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath. Usually when this occurs people start to get a little concerned. Often by this time though the blood pressure has probably reached high enough levels to be dangerous as this is one of the last symptoms of hypertension you'll experience.
- Heart palpitations
- Fatigue - general tiredness
- A flushed face
- Nosebleeds
- A strong need to urinate often (especially during the night)
- Tinnitus (a ringing or buzzing in the ears)
- If you have any combination of these symptoms, then you should get your blood pressure checked by a doctor.
