High blood pressure is not something that should be taken lightly. It is a severe condition with many consequences that can potentially be fatal. High blood pressure or hypertension is an ongoing medical condition, and a person suffering from it typically does not have any symptoms. The constant elevation of the blood pressure in the arteries leads to health problems.
A significant number of people avoid regular check-ups or simply do not have time for them. That problem leads to one in five people not knowing that they suffer from high blood pressure. Not knowing is even more dangerous. If you experience pounding in your head or chest or get dizzy often, it is best to call your doctor and schedule an appointment.
Common High Blood Pressure Candidates
Typical candidates for hypertension are people whose diets are high-salt and high-fat. Also, if you are overweight or obese, that means you are at risk of having high blood pressure. Generally, an unhealthy lifestyle is a common cause of many diseases, including hypertension. For 28% of women who are struggling with excess weight, the problem leads to hypertension. Opting for healthier life choices helps fight against high blood pressure.
Even older age makes you the right candidate for high blood pressure. It does not matter if you lead a generally healthy life; just your age makes you susceptible to hypertension. When it comes to people aged 35 to 44 years, one in four men and one in five women have high blood pressure. If you are older than 45, the risk of having elevated blood pressure is increased.
However, older candidates have different types of hypertension. Postural hypertension happens when a person’s cardiovascular and nervous systems react to sudden changes—usually when someone stands up and feels dizzy. The age group of 65 and over experiences this often. Around 10% to 20% of people in this age group have increased blood pressure.
Unfortunately, even your race could be the cause of high blood pressure. The African-American community has the highest probability of getting higher blood pressure. Researchers believe that African-Americans have a gene that makes them more sensitive to salt, which leads to developing hypertension. They are two times more likely to develop high blood pressure than by the age of 55, compared to Causcasians.
Serious Consequences
If high blood pressure is not treated, that can cause serious side effects. There are ways to prevent additional diseases, some of which we already mentioned. For example, if you are a smoker, you should stop smoking. Alcohol intake should also be reduced as much as possible. Caffeine can be dangerous for your blood pressure and heart rate. Any relaxation methods are helpful, as they can only be beneficial to your health. The same goes for physical activity—regular exercise is necessary.
One of the more severe side effects that high blood pressure can cause is a stroke. Seven out of ten people who survived a stroke are also taking hypertension medication. 80% of strokes could be prevented if people took precautionary measures against increased blood pressure. Additionally, people with high blood pressure are twice more likely to die if they suffer a stroke.
Hardening and thickening of the arteries also lead to heart attacks. Research shows that hypertension will lead to more than one million heart attacks in the US only. Heart failure is also a reason to pay attention to your health. High pressure in the vessels can make the heart work harder. The problem arises when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.
High blood pressure can also cause blood vessels to become weaker and swollen, which leads to an aneurysm. If the blood pressure is continuously higher than 120/80 mm Hg, that can be one of the causes of aneurysms. If an aneurysm ruptures, it can be life-threatening.
Chronic kidney disease is another increased blood pressure side effect. More than 50% of people with hypertension suffer from it. As we already said, high blood pressure damages the vessels, which decreases the blood supply to the organs, such as kidneys. Additionally, it damages its filtering units, and the kidneys cannot properly filter the body’s waste.
High Blood Pressure Facts
Two numbers represent blood pressure. The top number (systolic pressure) represents the pressure inside the artery when the heart is pumping blood. The bottom number (diastolic pressure) represents the pressure in the artery when the heart is not pumping blood. If either of the two numbers is consistently higher or lower, it is something to be concerned about, and you should contact your doctor.
There are many ways to prevent developing hypertension. So, do not be afraid if high blood pressure runs in your family. It does not immediately mean that you are likely to get it as well. Prevention is the key—stop smoking, cut down on alcohol, eat healthier, pay attention to salt intake, and exercise often.
Even though stress is one of the reasons for increased blood pressure, it is not true that people with no anxiety problems cannot develop high blood pressure. Lower stress levels can help prevent it, but it is not a guarantee. So, try to relax, meditate, or do yoga as much as you can.
There is a myth that wine is good for the heart, and you should drink it in large quantities. There is a limit to how much your heart can take. And for men, that is two glasses a day, while it is one glass of wine for women. Drink any alcohol in moderation, even wine.
Other Hypertension Statistics
Pulmonary hypertension is related to increased blood pressure inside the arteries of the lungs. People older than 75 have higher chances of developing pulmonary hypertension than younger people. The condition affects African-Americans more since they have a much higher probability of developing it than other people. Even one gram of salt can increase their blood pressure by 5 mm Hg.
Life expectancy can be longer, from five to seven years, if you treat the condition on time. If you do not, life expectancy is only 2.8 years. It usually gets worse as time passes, and there is no cure for it. Women are more prone to pulmonary hypertension than men.
However, obesity affects men more than women. For around 26% of men, being overweight is the main reason for hypertension. You can treat this condition by taking blood pressure medications if a healthier lifestyle is not an option.
Diabetes is another disease that is connected to high blood pressure. High-calorie intake, a desk-bound lifestyle, and insulin can only contribute to developing both diabetes and high blood pressure. Excess weight and no physical activity lead to insulin resistance and, subsequently, to high blood pressure.
High Blood Pressure Around the World
As we mentioned, high blood pressure can sometimes have fatal consequences. Around 7.5 million people die every day due to hypertension, which stands for 12.8% of all deaths annually. Studies show that with each blood pressure increase of 20/10 mm Hg, chances of developing cardiovascular diseases are doubled. A balanced diet and exercise can contribute greatly to overall health.
What makes this even more troubling is that 972 million people around the world live with high blood pressure—that is 26% of the entire population. If anyone has any doubts about blood pressure being a severe disease, a gentle reminder that a quarter of the world’s population suffers from it should be enough to clear up any misconceptions. According to predictions, that number will rise to 29% by 2025.
The continent with the highest number of people suffering from hypertension is Africa. People 25 and older are at risk of developing hypertension because of their family medical history. 46% of adults suffer from hypertension. On the other hand, US citizens are at an increased risk of developing hypertension in the future.
Conclusion
There are many side effects associated with high blood pressure—serious illnesses, heart problems, even death. Despite all that, high blood pressure remains a disease that can be prevented. You should take precautionary measures even if you are a younger person or not in any danger of developing hypertension. That way, you can keep your blood pressure in check. Even more important is the fact that those preventative measures are good for overall health, and not just for preventing serious diseases.
Try to limit your daily intake of alcohol, caffeine, salt, and fat. Those are crucial ingredients that lead to increased blood pressure and cause many other side effects. With a healthy diet comes regular exercise. You should take up jogging or go for daily walks to keep yourself physically active.
Even with preventative measures, you should always consult your doctor and schedule regular check-ups. Many pharmacies and drug stores offer monthly blood pressure checks. Ask around and stop by to get your blood pressure measured. Normal blood pressure numbers should be between the following: the top number of a blood pressure measurement should be between 90 and 120, and the bottom number should be between 60 and 80. Anything lower or higher than that is a cause for concern.
Author bio – Kristina Laova is a content writer and contributor whose articles are fact-based, fun-filled, and action-packed. It all depends on the genre, of course. She is a keen traveler and an adventurous soul as curious as humanity. Her educational background includes an MA in English linguistics and a TEFL Certificate.
