What is Hypertension?

What is blood pressure?

The force exerted by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels when the heart pumps blood is called as Blood Pressure.

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What is hypertension?

Hypertension is defined as a medical condition where blood pressure exceeds 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The condition is considered serious when blood pressure crosses 180/120 mmHg. The excess pressure can cause damage to the body organs, including the heart.

How to lower blood pressure?

• Exercise regularly
• Manage your weight
• Eat food with less salt
• Take prescribed medication
• Reduce alcohol consumption
• Minimize caffeine intake
• Manage stress
• Eat foods rich in potassium

How to know if you have high blood pressure?

• You become fatigued easily
• You experience unbearable headaches
• You sometimes find it difficult to breathe
• Your vision is blurred
• Your heartbeat is irregular
• You feel a pounding in your ears, neck and chest

How is high blood pressure treated?

Step 1: The person is given blood pressure lowering medicines.

Step 2: A diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products is encouraged.

Step 3: The person is motivated to achieve an ideal body weight.

Step 4: Physical activity of at least 60-120 minutes a day is recommended.

Step 5: Alcohol intake is advised to be reduce to just 1-2 drinks a day.

What happens if hypertension is left untreated?

If high blood pressure is left untreated for a long time, it could increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Remaining in a constant state of high blood pressure can also lead to a heart attack or heart failure, leading to sudden cardiac death.

How does hypertension vary according to age group?

0-5 years	Very rare
6-18 years	Rare
19-40 years	Common
40-60 years	Very Common

What are the causes of hypertension?

• Sedentary lifestyle
• Obesity
• Excessive consumption of alcohol
• Consuming excess salt in food
• Stress and anxiety
• Too much smoking
• Age
• Genetic makeup

How does high blood pressure affect the heart?

High blood pressure causes a strain on the heart. Over time, the heart muscles get weakened. The working efficiency of the heart is, therefore, significantly reduced. Now, the heart has to work harder to pump blood out to the body. As a result, the arteries harden, which increases the risk of stroke, heart failure or kidney disease, lifelong disability and poor quality of life.

Is coffee bad for high blood pressure?

When you drink coffee, there is a substantial increase in blood pressure. Drinking coffee or tea can worsen the situation for those with hypertension. Doctors advice people with high blood pressure to cut down their caffeine intake.

What food and drink you should avoid in hypertension?

• Highly salted food
• Alcohol
• Chicken skin
• Full-fat dairy
• Canned soups
• Frozen pizza
• Pickles
• Tomato
• Sugary products
• Red meat

Can hypertension be cured?

Yes, hypertension can be cured either by blood pressure lowering medicines or via surgery.

What are the four stages of hypertension?

There are four stages of hypertension or high blood pressure:

Can high blood pressure be caused byDocWire Picks stress?

During stress, the body produces certain hormones that narrow the blood vessels and make the heart beat faster. This causes a temporary increase in blood pressure.