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Overview

High blood pressure or Hypertension in medical terms is a common condition in which the blood pressure rises and propels the walls of vessels causing damage to the circulatory system. 

Before diving into the details of hypertension, let’s first understand the basics of blood pressure. It is the pressure of blood against the vessels of the blood. It is measured to keep a check on the variations in the blood flow. If the blood pressure is continuously too high then it can cause permanent damage to the heart walls, this condition is called high blood pressure or hypertension. To learn more about hypertension, find paid clinical trials in Texas. 

Prevalence Of High Blood Pressure

Around 47% of people in the US have high blood pressure. This makes a total of 116 million people affected by the condition. The prevalence rate is higher in the middle-aged and older age groups. Males (50%) are more commonly affected by the condition than females (44%). About 4.5% of children in the US have hypertension or high blood pressure, currently.  

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

There are various causes of high blood pressure that can be controlled with proper care and management. Some of them are:

• A diet high in salt,
• Family history,
• Old age,
• Lack of physical activity,
• overweight/obese,
• Stress,
• Smoking, and
• Alcohol.

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

The symptoms can vary from person to person depending on the severity of the condition. Sometimes people with high blood pressure levels do not know they have the condition because they show no symptoms unless it is severe. Some of the symptoms include:

• Excruciating headaches,
• Nausea,
• Puffiness of eyes,
• Nosebleed,
• Chest pain,
• Irregular heartbeat,
• Chest tightness, and
• Pounding chest, ears, and neck

What Are The Risk Factors Of High Blood Pressure?

Conditions that increase the risk of high blood pressure or hypertension involve:

• Genetics,
• Family history,
• Smoking,
• Unhealthy diet, and
• Diabetes 

Types Of Hypertension

Broadly, there are two types of high blood pressure or hypertension.

• Primary Hypertension: It is the most common type. Most adults fall in this category. The other name for primary hypertension is essential hypertension. No one knows the exact cause of primary hypertension but it is probably because of an unhealthy diet, smoking, stress, genetics, etc.

• Secondary Hypertension: when there is a definite cause for your high blood pressure that can be treated. It is more common in younger age groups. We can manage the condition easily by avoiding the factors that cause the blood pressure to rise. Some of the underlying causes of secondary hypertension could be adrenal gland disease, side effects of medications, sleep apnea, thyroid problems, and narrowing of arteries that are responsible for supplying blood to the kidneys. 

Subtypes of hypertension include:

• Resistant hypertension: the one that is difficult to control.
• Malignant hypertension: this type causes damage to the organs.
• Isolated Systolic Hypertension: In this type, the systolic or upper range is higher than usual, above 140mm Hg, and lower or diastolic pressure is under 90mm Hg.

Stages Of High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure levels greater than 120/80 fall in the category of high blood pressure. Hypertension is further categorized into 4 stages according to blood pressure levels. The 4 stages of high blood pressure are:

• Normal: when the systolic pressure is 120mm Hg and diastolic is 80mm Hg.
• Elevated: when the systolic pressure is between 120-129mm Hg and diastolic is less than or equal to 80mm Hg
• Stage 1: when the systolic blood pressure is between 130 to 139 mm Hg and diastolic is 80-89mm Hg.
• Stage 2: systolic is 140mm Hg and diastolic is 90mm Hg.

If you are in the elevated category you need to consult your physician for treatment and lifestyle modifications.

Comprehending Blood Pressure Readings –  Diagnosis

A blood pressure measuring device interprets raised blood pressure levels. This frequently includes an inflatable arm sleeve put around your arm and a tension estimating measure.

A reading given in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), has two numbers. The first, or upper, number estimates the strain in your veins when your heart beats (systolic tension). The second, or lower, number estimates the strain in your veins between beats (diastolic tension).

High blood Pressure And Memory Deterioration

Following quite a while of observational exploration, there’s an overall understanding that hypertension in middle age is a threatening factor for some other old age mental deterioration, including generally speaking cognizance, memory, and operating speed. 

High Blood Pressure In Children

High blood pressure or hypertension in kids is a circulatory strain that is at or over the 95th percentile for juveniles who are similar in gender, age, and level as your kid. There is certainly not a basic objective reach for hypertension in all youngsters since what’s viewed as ordinary changes as kids develop. Notwithstanding, in young people, hypertension is characterized as equivalent to for grown-ups: A reading higher than or equivalent to 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).

The more young a kid is, the more probable it is that hypertension is brought about by a particular and recognizable condition. Grown-up kids can foster hypertension for similar reasons as adults do, that is increased weight, inadequate nourishment, and absence of physical activity.

The causes of hypertension in children are other medical conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, genetic conditions, hormonal changes, etc.

Usually, lifestyle modifications can bring a positive change but in some circumstances, the children might need medications to manage the condition. 

High Blood Pressure And Obesity

Your weight can influence your risk of developing hypertension or if you already have the condition, obesity can impact it causing more severe symptoms. Around  65% to 78% of cases of obesity are linked to primary hypertension. Weight management and lifestyle modifications can help to lower the chances of developing hypertension or aggravating the existing condition.

The means by which obesity causes or exacerbates hypertension are:

• Changes in the kidney functioning and structure
• Alterations in the functioning of the sympathetic nervous system
• Altered hormone signaling 

High Blood Pressure And Diabetes

Diabetes is a debilitating condition that severely affects all other organs of the body. Likewise, it is one important factor in causing high blood pressure because the continuous increase in glucose levels damages the blood vessels causing stiffening of the walls which generates high pressure on the heart resulting in high blood pressure. Type 2 diabetes and hypertension can cause a heart attack or stroke.

5 Ways To Manage High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is not curable but it can be managed with proper management and care. There are certain ways to manage high blood pressure or hypertension which might be able to help you:

• Healthy diet: this involves using a low salt diet with more vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy, and low-fat food. Consider adding potassium to your diet as it lowers the effects of sodium on blood pressure. A good mix of all the essential nutrients is important but the amount should always be managed accordingly. 

• Good workout routine: physical activity is an integral part of maintaining good health. Planning a workout schedule that suits you best and is doable can be beneficial in so many ways. Starting with 20 minutes a day and increasing it up to 30 minutes daily is really good for health. This not only keeps diseases at bay but also refreshes your mind and helps to unwind.

• Quit smoking: the number of cigarettes you consume in a day increases your risk of developing blood pressure and ultimately leads to heart diseases. Reducing the number of cigarettes per day and eventually completely breaking the habit will make your blood pressure normal.

• Limit stress: Stress is one of the most common factors contributing to high blood pressure. Meditating, taking a stroll, listening to good music, and journaling are some of the ways that can help reduce stress and ultimately blood pressure levels.

• Lose some pounds: increased weight is a potential cause of so many health conditions. Taking off those extra pounds can help to regulate blood pressure levels.

The Outlook

High Blood Pressure or Hypertension is a crippling condition that can take a toll on one’s physical and mental health. However, figuring out ways to manage the condition can help in achieving normal blood pressure levels. Tracking your diet with adequate physical activity is a good way to start with.

If you want more information regarding the condition and are willing to try the potential treatment therapies, consider reaching out to hypertension clinical trials near you.

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