Have your blood pressure
checked:
What causes high blood pressure?
This is a question that many
people ask because they do not understand what blood pressure is,
or why they
should have their blood pressure monitored on a regular basis by a physician.
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is a measurement
that reveals the amount of blood a person's heart pumps in relation to the
amount of resistance to blood flow encountered in the arteries. (1)
What is high blood pressure?
Blood pressure is high or an
elevated blood pressure, when the readings are above what is medically normal blood
pressure. High blood pressure or hypertension has been known as the silent
killer, because most people do not have any signs or symptoms, even when their
blood pressure readings are extremely high.
What are the early stage
symptoms of hypertension?
The early stage of hypertension
symptoms may include the following: dull headache, bouts of dizziness and frequent
nosebleeds. By the time a person
experiences these symptoms, he or she may already be in a life threatening
stage of high blood pressure. Any person exhibiting these symptoms should
contact his or her physician immediately, rather than just ignoring them. (2)
What is essential or primary
hypertension?
Essential hypertension or
primary hypertension, develops gradually. This is the kind of hypertension
that ninety percent of people have. With respect to its cause, according to the
American Heart Association, there is no known cause for it. (3)
What is secondary hypertension?
Secondary hypertension, which
is the kind of hypertension that the other ten percent of people have, does
have an underlying condition. This is more serious, as the onset is sudden and
the blood pressure readings are much higher.
The causes may include any of the
following: kidney abnormalities, tumors of the adrenal gland and congenital
heart defects. It may also be the result of medications like birth control
pills, cold remedies, decongestants, pain relievers and prescription drugs
or corticosteroids, as well as illicit drugs including cocaine, amphetamines, caffeine, tea, chocolate, soft drinks like cola, tobacco, stress, anxiety
and drinking. Sleep deprivation and fibromuscular dysplasia are known causes. (4)
What other conditions can cause
hypertension?
Elevated blood pressure can
also be the result of other conditions, which if dealt with, can prevent
complications like heart disease, kidney failure and stroke.
These include
the following: diabetic nephropathy, polycystic kidney disease, glomerular
disease, hydronephrosis, renovascular hypertension, Cushing's syndrome, aldostderonism,
pheochromocytoma, hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism and coarctation of the aorta.
Sleep apnea, obesity, preeclampsia and herbal supplements like ginseng and St. John's
How often should a person have
his or her blood pressure checked?
Normally, a person should have
his or her blood pressure checked by a physician, at least every two years. The
physician may recommend more frequent readings, if they are indicated for any
reason. (6)
How is a person's blood
pressure taken?
Monitoring a person's blood
pressure is done with an inflatable cuff and a gauge that measures blood
pressure. The first number is the systolic pressure and the second number is
the diastolic pressure. Normal blood pressure is 120/80. Stage 1 hypertension
begins at 140/90. Stage 2 hypertension begins at 160/100. (7)
Understanding what hypertension
is and how one can prevent hypertension and the possible complications that may
result from hypertension is important to everyone's health.
(4) Ibid.
(7) http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure/DS00100/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis
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