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Understanding High Blood Pressure – Causes And Effects

Hypertension is another word for high blood pressure, a prevalent condition that affects the arteries. The blood’s constant force against the arteries indicates high blood pressure. The heart has to work harder to pump blood, which makes it work more slowly and steadily, making it weak. This results in many heart complications, one of which is high blood pressure. 

Blood pressure is measured by the unit millimetres in mercury. The unit denoted is mmHg. You can generally have high blood pressure if your readings are around or more than 130/80 mmHg. Referred to as a ‘silent killer’ by many experts, high blood pressure kills you internally as you don’t get any symptoms.

Blood pressure of more than 120/80 mmHg is generally considered high. Anyone with this high blood pressure needs medical help immediately. Heart attacks and strokes can strike you if these blood pressures are not taken care of on time.

High blood pressure doesn’t have any specific symptoms. You can live with high blood pressure without any symptoms and not realise it until the pressure increases to a dangerously high level. Sometimes, you may experience headaches, shortness of breath, or nosebleeds due to high or low blood pressure. These are some common symptoms and can be due to other reasons, not only high blood pressure.

The total amount of blood that the heart pumps and the stiffness of the blood’s passage through the arteries are the two factors that influence blood pressure. We need to keep our arteries healthy to keep the flow of blood easy and healthy.

There are different causes of hypertension due to the two different types of high blood pressure readings, which are:-

• Primary Hypertension

Also known as essential hypertension it has no common causes for adults. This hypertension is caused by a gradual build-up of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the buildup of plaque in the arteries over a period of time.

• Secondary Hypertension

Caused by an underlying condition, this type of condition can instantly raise your blood pressure. Unlike primary hypertension, this can have various causes. Some of these are:-

• Tumours found in the adrenal glands
• Blood vessel conditions are visible at birth, sometimes called congenital heart defects.
• Prescription medications, birth control tablets, certain painkillers, and cough and cold remedies
• Illegal substances, such as amphetamines and cocaine
• A kidney disorder
• Insomnia
• Thyroid conditions

High blood pressure includes many risk factors. Some of these are:-

• Age: High Blood pressure is prevalent in men. Those over 65 or maybe even before that can detect it. Hence, most are advised to get routine checkups done more frequently. Women may develop high blood pressure after the age of 65.
• Genetics:- Most people believe that high blood pressure passes through generations is a myth. It is not. If your parents or siblings have high blood pressure, you will likely have it, too.
• Overweight/Obesity: As weight increases, our organs are affected, too. Increasing weight results in increased chances of high blood pressure. The kidneys and blood vessels are the ones that are affected the most, increasing the risk factors for various heart problems and increased levels of cholesterol.
• Tobacco/Vaping:- Tobacco, when smoked or chewed, enters your body and hardens the artery walls. This results in the vessels’ contraction, making blood flow difficult. Vaping or tobacco raises your blood pressure immediately for a short period. Health providers advise and provide ways to quit smoking. If you smoke too, then ask your doctor for the same.
• Too much salt or Too little Potassium:- Salt which in chemical language is sodium retains fluid in our body if consumed too much. On the other hand, potassium looks after the level of salt in the cells. Lack of Potassium can be due to low consumption of the same in daily diets. It can also be due to less intake of water or dehydration. Maintaining both Potassium and sodium levels in your body is essential.

Pregnancy and stress: An increase in stress can lead to a rise in high blood pressure. Stress-related practices like excessive eating, smoking, or drinking alcohol may increase blood pressure even more. Another reason for high blood pressure can be pregnancy. It may be due to physical conditions or mental stress.

Effects or complications of high blood pressure can increase with time if not treated right. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can affect:-

• Heart Failure:- When you have high blood pressure the heart has to work harder to pump blood causing the artery walls to thicken. We can call this as left ventricular hypertrophy. This slowly makes the heart slow, gradually resulting in heart failure.
• Kidney Sickness: We know that our heart is somewhat related to every part of our body. As the heart vessels narrow, the kidney walls can narrow down as well, which can lead to kidney problems.

• Dementia: Narrowed-down vessel walls can lead to limited blood flow to the brain, which can cause a certain type of dementia called vascular dementia. Vascular dementia results when the blood flow to the brain is not the required amount.
• Aneurysm: If blood flow is affected, a blood vessel can thicken and bulge out. This blood vessel can erupt, which can be life-threatening.

• Depending on the readings, blood pressure is divided. This is known as staging.
  • Hypertension Stage 1 

  The range for the top and bottom values should be 130–139 mm Hg and 80–89 mm Hg, respectively. Only then can it be said to be Hypertension in stage 1.

  • Hypertension Stage 2 

  140 mm Hg or more should be the upper limit, and 90 mm Hg or more should be the lower limit. Only then can it be said to be Hypertension in stage 2?

  At times, the top blood pressure reading is high, yet the bottom reading is normal (less than 80 mm Hg). This is called isolated systolic Hypertension, a common type of high blood pressure in individuals over 65.

As time passes, high blood pressure may go silent and develop a severe condition that could throw you off guard. Regular check-ups with a healthcare provider from Sahyadri Hospital might help you become aware of your figures. If you don’t have access to services, learn about helpful community programs (such as health fairs) where blood pressure checks are offered. Determining your blood pressure is the first step to changing your lifestyle for your benefit and protecting the artery walls.

Sahyadri Hospitals is one of the largest healthcare networks in Maharashtra, known for its world-class medical facilities and expert teams across multiple specialities. With cutting-edge technology, a patient-centred approach, and a focus on affordability, Sahyadri Hospitals offer high-quality healthcare solutions for all. Whether specialised treatments or routine care, Sahyadri ensures comprehensive medical services tailored to individual needs. For more details, visit Sahyadri Hospital.

• What are the leading causes of high blood pressure?

High blood pressure can be caused by genetic factors, age, obesity, poor diet, physical inactivity, stress, and chronic conditions.

• How does high blood pressure affect overall health?

It can lead to serious health issues, including heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and vision loss.

• What lifestyle factors contribute to high blood pressure?

Factors include a high-sodium diet, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, lack of physical activity, and chronic stress.

• Can high blood pressure lead to other severe conditions?

Yes, it can result in heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease.

• How can high blood pressure be managed or treated?

Management involves lifestyle changes, medication, regular monitoring, and working with healthcare providers.