What is Hypertension?
Hypertension is a condition that is known as high blood pressure. This occurs when there is an elevated pressure in the arteries. When the heart beats, blood is pumped through the body via the arteries. The blood pressure is the force of the blood as it flows through the arteries. As the pressure increases, it makes it harder for the heart to pump blood. Prolonged hypertension can lead to damaged organs and illnesses including kidney failure and stroke. A recent study from UC Davis found that those who have high blood pressure in their middle age have a higher risk of cognitive decline when they are older. There are about 95% of cases that are classified as essential hypertension. These cases have no known cause of elevated blood pressure.
Causes of Hypertension
The exact cause of hypertension is often not known. Several factors could lead to high blood pressure, many of those being lifestyle choices that can be changed. Smoking and obesity are the most common causes of hypertension. The Indiana University School of Medicine discovered that children who are obese often suffer from hypertension when they are adults. Diabetes is another factor in high blood pressure. Those who have a high salt intake might see high blood pressure levels. Stress is a common player in high blood pressure as when someone worries about life events, the blood pressure tends to rise. When this happens every day, the blood pressure will stay high until the events are changed.
Symptoms of Hypertension
There are several things to look for if one suspects they might have hypertension. Headaches and blurred vision are common. Chest pains are a symptom that should be looked at right away. The person might experience fatigue or breathing problems. There could also be an irregular heartbeat and dizziness. When these symptoms are present, an appointment with a doctor should be made as soon as possible. One can get a blood pressure cuff to use at home to monitor levels.
