Understanding High Blood Pressure

Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure means that blood is forced through blood through vessels and arteries at a greater pressure than is considered normal or healthy. Over time this excessive pressure can damage the walls surrounding the blood vessels and arteries and lead to a number of serious medical conditions. Most often associated with heart attacks and strokes, hypertension also plays a significant role in the development of a wide range of conditions, including:

Vision problems including blurred vision, blindness, and choroidopathy (bleeding in the eye)

Memory problems from forgetfulness to dementia

Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)

Hardened arteries, aneurysm (weakened or distended artery wall) and other arterial damage

Kidney damage and even kidney failure

Sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction in men and vaginal dryness in women

Sleep apnea when the breathing is intermittently stopped during sleep

Osteoporosis as more calcium is released due to increased blood pressure

Left ventricular hypertrophy as the left ventricle becomes enlarged by having to work harder

Small blood clots that would ordinarily pass through healthy arteries can become lodged and cause a blockage. The result of this blockage can be chest pains, stroke, heart attack, and heart failure.

Treating Hypertension

Hypertension typically has no obvious symptoms, so it is important to have your blood pressure checked at regular intervals. However, some early warning signs of the condition include:

Shortness of breath

Swollen legs, ankles, feet or abdomen

General tiredness and lethargy

Treatment will depend on the cause and nature of the elevated blood pressure readings and will usually involve following a course of medication. If any, some, or all of these warning signs manifest themselves, they should be investigated immediately and treatment undertaken to reverse or limit any damage. The type of medication prescribed will depend on the severity of the condition, and the drugs prescribed can range from very mild thiazide diuretics (water pills) that help eliminate water and sodium, to alpha or beta-blockers and other medicines specifically designed to combat the condition. It is often the case that a combination of two or more drugs will be prescribed, as this is usually the best method of controlling blood pressure levels.

Prevention and Control

While drugs are very successful in controlling high blood pressure, their effect can be dramatically reduced if not accompanied by a sensible lifestyle. Whether suffering from hypertension or not, it is sensible to follow a healthy, balanced diet containing only limited amounts of salt, sugar, and fat. It's also a good idea to exercise regularly (try to follow the NHS exercise guidelines) and keep your weight at an appropriate level. Limit your intake of alcohol will also help as studies have found the consumption of alcoholic beverages to increase the risk of elevated blood pressure.

Smoking and the use of tobacco products is also a major factor in blood pressure issues, and it is best not to smoke if at all possible.

No matter which course of treatment is prescribed or how good a lifestyle is followed, hypertension will not simply disappear, but it can be controlled so as not to impact negatively on everyday life. Left untreated, hypertension can be a life-threatening condition, but it never need reach this stage if some simple steps are taken. The most important rules to follow are:

Always take the prescribed medication in the right dosage at the correct time. If side-effects are a problem, inquire if there is an alternative available. Schedule regular check-ups with your doctor to evaluate progress and catch any possible problems early.

Follow a healthy lifestyle and try to manage stress levels by avoiding difficult situations or possible causes of anxiety whenever possible.

Hypertension can be controlled effectively, but it takes effort. When managed appropriately, it is only an inconvenience, but if left untreated, it can have devastating consequences. Hypertension can affect people of any age, so it is never too early to be aware of the possibility of suffering from this condition and making the necessary changes in lifestyle, which can help avoid the problem altogether.