By Prudent International Health Clinic , Multi Speciality
Hypertension is a condition which occurs when the long-term action of blood against the walls of the arteries becomes high enough to cause problems in the person’s health. In common terms, it is known as High Blood Pressure.
Causes-
The underlying factors that play a major role in the determination of the level of blood pressure in the body are the amount of blood that is pumped by the heart and the obstruction offered by the arteries to the flow of blood. Although the exact causes of hypertension are not known, it can be attributed to several factors such as:
- Smoking
- Stress
- Lack of physical activity
- Genetics
- High amount of salt in diet
- Sleep apnea (sleep disorder wherein breathing continuously stops and starts)
- Thyroid diseases
Symptoms-
Hypertension can be symptomless in many people. However, damage to the heart and blood vessels continues even though symptoms may not be present. If the hypertension is not brought under control, it may give rise to serious health complications such as heart attack, stroke or kidney failure. Some of the noticeable symptoms include fatigue, chest pain, severe headache, vision problems and breathing difficulties.
Treatment-
The objective of treatment is to lower the levels of hypertension. The current standard for classification for hypertension is a blood pressure reading greater than 140/90. The primary treatment for high blood pressure includes:
Lifestyle Changes: People suffering from hypertension should adopt healthier modifications to their current lifestyle. This includes:
- Limiting the consumption of alcohol
- Quitting smoking
- Weight loss if you are obese
- Making alterations in the current diet
- Regular exercise in airy conditions
- Reducing sodium in the diet
Drugs: Some of the medications used to treat high blood pressure include:
- Diuretics
- Alpha and Beta Blockers
- Renin Inhibitors
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, etc.