To Understand High Blood Pressure in Simple Language
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The heart is like a regular pump with pipes draining in and out of the pump which are veins and arteries. Until these pipes are wider, functioning properly and maintaining pressure, and keeping flow at a proper rate, all is good. But if for some reason the drains and pipes get clogged, a blockage can build and lodge itself anywhere. The fat, oil, and grease overload will narrow and eventually destroy the pump and the pipes, and the area it supplies. This results in pump failure.
The Heart Is The Pump
Veins are pipes that bring unclean blood from the entire body and empties into the right side of the heart. Arteries are pipes that pump out purified blood from the left side of the heart supplying an adequate amount of oxygen to the entire body that keeps us alive. Persistently high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides circulating in the arteries result in the narrowing clogging and formation of plaque and that may partially or totally block blood flow to the heart muscle and result in a heart attack.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a condition in which the force of the blood against the artery walls is too high. In order to diagnose high blood pressure, your health care provider will check your blood pressure with a blood pressure cuff. If high blood pressure is left untreated, it can cause coronary artery disease, heart failure, and is a major risk factor for kidney failure, stroke, vision loss, and dementia.
Causes Of Hypertension
- Genetic factors
- Being overweight
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking and alcohol use
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy
Signs Of High Blood Pressure
- Severe headaches (particularly at the back of the head and in the morning)
- Lightheadedness, vertigo, ringing ears (buzzing or hissing in the ears)
- Altered vision
- Chest pain
Treatment
Treatment for high blood pressure includes lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, losing weight, eating healthy, exercising, and reducing alcohol intake. Limiting stress is another important way to lower high blood pressure. If lifestyle changes are not sufficient to bring the pressure down, you may need to take blood pressure medications.
