High Blood Pressure
Dr. Frank Okosun Jr. completed his Internal Medicine Internship and Residency at Meharry Medical College Nashville Tennessee where he was also the Vice President of the House Staff Association. During his Internship, he was selected by the program faculty as the Intern of the year. Dr. Okosun is board-certified by the American... more
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, affects millions of people worldwide. It is a long-term medical condition where the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. Understanding the disease, its causes, symptoms, and treatment can help in managing the condition effectively.
Understanding Hypertension:
Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels. The amount of blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries determines the blood pressure. High blood pressure is a condition where this force against the artery walls is too high, often leading to health issues like heart disease.
Causes of Hypertension:
Primary Hypertension: This type of hypertension develops over time with no identifiable cause. Most people have this type of high blood pressure.
Secondary Hypertension: This type of hypertension is caused by an underlying condition. It tends to appear suddenly and cause higher blood pressure than primary hypertension.
Risk Factors:
Several factors increase the risk of developing hypertension, including age, race, family history, being overweight or obese, not being physically active, using tobacco, too much salt (sodium) in your diet, too little potassium in your diet, drinking too much alcohol, stress, certain chronic conditions, and pregnancy.
Symptoms and Complications:
Most people with hypertension do not show any symptoms even if blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels. However, some people may experience headaches, shortness of breath, or nosebleeds, but these symptoms aren't specific and usually don't occur until high blood pressure has reached a severe or life-threatening stage.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to serious complications including heart attack or stroke, aneurysm, heart failure, weakened and narrowed blood vessels in your kidneys, thickened, narrowed or torn blood vessels in the eyes, metabolic syndrome, trouble with memory or understanding, and dementia.
Managing and Treating Hypertension:
Hypertension can be managed and treated through a combination of lifestyle changes and medication.
Lifestyle changes include:
1. Regular physical activity
2. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products, while reducing saturated and total fat (DASH diet)
3. Limiting sodium intake
4. Limiting alcohol intake
5. Avoiding tobacco use
6. Maintaining a healthy weight
Medication is often prescribed if lifestyle changes are not enough. The goal of treatment is to lower blood pressure to less than 130/80 mm Hg. Medication types include diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and others. Regular medical check-ups and following the treatment plan can help control hypertension and its potential complications. It's important to discuss any concerns or side effects with your healthcare provider.
