What is high blood pressure?
The force of your blood as it rushes through the arteries in your body is known as BP. Blood channels that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body are known as arteries. This is referred to as BP. When your blood travels through your arteries at a higher pressure than normal, you have high BP (also known as hypertension). High BP can be caused by a variety of factors. BP that is excessively high or stays too high for an extended period of time might create health concerns. High BP that is uncontrolled puts you at risk for stroke, heart disease, heart attack, and renal failure.
There are 2 types of high blood pressure.
Primary hypertension. This condition is also known as essential hypertension. When there is no recognized cause for your high BP, it is referred to as this. The most prevalent type of hypertension is this. This sort of BP normally develops over a long period of time. It’s most likely the outcome of your lifestyle, surroundings, and how your body develops as you get older.
Secondary hypertension. This occurs when your high BP is caused by a medical condition or medication. Secondary hypertension can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Kidney problems.
- Sleep apnea.
- Thyroid or adrenal gland problems.
- Some medicines.
What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?
The majority of persons with high BP have no symptoms. This is why it’s known as “the silent killer.” It is critical to have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis. High BP can cause headaches, nosebleeds, and shortness of breath in certain people. However, those symptoms can be mistaken for a variety of other things (serious or non-serious). These symptoms usually appear when the blood pressure has risen to a dangerously high level over time.
High Blood Pressure treatment
The best strategy to control BP is to make lifestyle changes that will help you lower your BP and lessen your risk of heart disease. Your best Cardiologist may also recommend medication to help you lower your blood pressure. Antihypertensive medications are what they’re called.
The goal of treatment is to get your blood pressure back to where it should be. Your cardiologist may recommend a medication that is simple to use and has minimal if any, negative effects. This procedure is really effective. If you can only control your blood pressure with medication, you’ll have to take it for the rest of your life. It’s usual to need more than one medication to keep your blood pressure under control. Do not stop taking your medication without first consulting your cardiologist. You may raise your chances of getting a stroke or heart attack if you don’t.
Living with high Blood Pressure
Maintaining a healthy blood pressure level is a lifelong effort. You’ll always have to keep track of your weight, eat healthily, exercise, learn to handle stress, quit smoking, and limit your alcohol consumption. If you require medication to regulate your high blood pressure, you will almost certainly require it for the rest of your life.
You’ll also need to get used to having your blood pressure checked on a frequent basis. Your cardiologist may require that you visit the office on a frequent basis. Alternatively, you might be required to monitor your blood pressure at home and keep note of your results for your cardiologist. Blood pressure machines are available at several pharmacies and retail clinics. You can get your own home-use automatic arm blood pressure cuff. Your cardiologist may recommend that you take your blood pressure many times a day. Another alternative is to use an ambulatory blood pressure monitor (one that you wear while moving around).
Who is at risk for hypertensive heart disease?
High blood pressure is the most important risk factor for hypertensive heart disease. If you do any of the following, you’re at a higher risk:
- you’re overweight
- if you don’t exercise enough
- if you smoke
- you eat food high in fat and cholesterol
If heart disease runs in your family, you’re more likely to get it. Men are more prone than women who have not gone through menopause to have heart disease. Men and postmenopausal women are both vulnerable. Regardless of your gender, your risk of heart disease rises as you become older.
When to see the Cardiologist?
Your cardiologist will go over your medical history with you, perform a physical examination, and order lab tests to evaluate your kidneys, salt, potassium, and blood count.
To help discover the cause of your symptoms, one or more of the following tests may be used:
The electrical activity of your heart is monitored and recorded via an electrocardiogram. Patches will be applied to your chest, legs, and arms by your cardiologist. Your cardiologist will interpret the results, which will be displayed on a screen.
Echocardiography uses ultrasound to provide a precise image of your heart.
Coronary angiography is a procedure that checks the blood flow in your coronary arteries. A catheter is a tiny tube that is put into your heart through your groin or an artery in your arm.
The purpose of an exercise stress test is to see how exercise affects your heart. You might be instructed to walk on a treadmill or peddle an exercise bike.
The flow of blood into the heart is examined during a nuclear stress test. The test is normally done when you’re resting or working out.
Medication
Medications can benefit your heart in a number of different ways. The major objectives are to avoid blood clotting, enhance blood flow, and lower cholesterol levels.
Examples of common heart disease medications include:
- water pills to help lower blood pressure
- nitrates to treat chest pain
- statins to treat high cholesterol
- calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors to help lower blood pressure
- aspirin to prevent blood clots
- It’s important to always take all medications exactly as prescribed.
Surgeries and devices
In more severe cases, surgery to enhance blood flow to your heart is mandatory. Your cardiologist may surgically install a battery-operated device called a pacemaker in your chest if you require help regulating your heart’s rate or rhythm. Electrical stimulation from a pacemaker causes the heart muscle to contract. When heart muscle electrical activity is too sluggish or nonexistent, a pacemaker is necessary and useful.
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators are in use to treat significant, life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Coronary artery bypass graft surgery is being use to open up clog arteries in the heart. It’s done if the CHD is severe. If your disease is particularly severe, a heart transplant or other heart-assist equipment is mandatory.
