Hypertension

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Hypertension/ High blood pressure is persistent rise of blood pressure above normal limit in respect of age and gender. It occurs when diastolic pressure is greater than 90 mm-Hg and systolic pressure is above 140 mm-Hg. If we look around, we can see, lot of people is suffering for it. Most of cases people it don’t show any significant symptoms. So, they don’t realize, even if their health condition become worsen day by day. So, it is called silent killer.

• Normal blood pressure- below 120/80 mm-Hg
• Pre-hypertension- 120-139/80-89 mm-Hg
• High blood pressure stage 1- 140-159/90-99 mm-Hg
• High blood pressure stage 2 - higher than 160/100 mm-Hg

Age: Male- commonly above ages 35, Female- after menopause.

What are the classifications?

Types are-

• Primary or Essential
• Secondary

Why it occurs?

Causes are-

A. Primary or Essential: There are no specific causes. But, probable causes are-

• Genetic inheritance
• Psychological stress
• Dietary factor: Obesity, high salt intake, high alcohol etc.
• Socioeconomic status
• Environmental factor
• Humoral factors: High renin, reduced NO, ANP etc.
• Neurotransmitter

B. Secondary:

• Renal disease: Glomerulonephritis, Pyelonephritis, Polycystic kidney disease.
• Endocrine disease: Pheochromocytoma, Cushing's syndrome, Acromegaly etc.
• Cardiovascular causes: Coarctation of aorta.
• Drugs: Oral contraceptives, Anabolic steroids, Vasopressin etc.

What are the Symptoms?

1. It may be asymptomatic.

2. Patients may present with complications due to hypertension such as-

• Congestive cardiac failure
• Progressive renal failure
• Hypersensitive encephalopathy
• Cerebral hemorrhage of infarction (stroke)
• Hypertensive retinopathy

3. Occasionally headache.

When to Go to a Doctor?

If you have recurring headaches, numbness and tingling, lethargy frequent, nosebleed, confusion or blurred vision, chest pain or tightness, go to a doctor immediately or this silent killer can be life threatening.

How to Prevent it?

Ways of Prevention are-

• Eating a nutritious low fat diet.
• Decreasing salt intake.
• Reduce dietary sugar.
• Exercising such as walking periodically. But, if you are in high risk group, take doctor's advice about it.
• No smoking, no drinking alcohol.
• Control weight (according to age). If you are fat, weight loss must be necessary.
• If you have above symptoms or, even if you don't have any problems, check your blood pressure every month for at least 1 time (for above 35 year of ages).
• Routine health examination.
• If doctor gives you blood pressure medication, follow it regularly.
• Reduce stress.
• Performing physical activity such as daily activities.

What can happen if it left untreated?

Chronic Hypertension Complications are-

• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Stroke/ transient ischemic attack
• Kidney failure
• Eye damage with progressive vision loss
• Peripheral arterial disease causing leg pain with walking
• Outpouching of aorta,called aneurysms
• Brain hemorrhage