By Sanumriaz 
High blood pressure is defined as blood pressure above 120/80mmHg. Blood is red color liquid present inside body and provides the cell with the essential nutrients and oxygen. It also carries carbon dioxide and waste material from cells to heart for filtration. Heart is a powerful muscle that transports this blood to every cell of the body. Blood pressure is basically the pumping of blood by heart towards the body through blood vessels.
Blood pressure is basically the measurement of heart health. It affects overall well-being of a person as body receives the essential nutrients and oxygen through blood. This is an indicator towards the health of heart.
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is defined as the force which is exerted by the circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels. The measuring unit of Blood Pressure (BP) is millimeters of mercury (mmHg). There are two measurements in blood pressure, Systolic and diastolic pressure.
BP of a normal healthy person is 120/80 mmHg. If blood pressure is higher than this figure then it is called high BP or hypertension. When BP is lower than normal range then it is known as low Bp or hypotension.
Causes of High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Hypertension or high BP is not developed in a day but it takes many years to develop without showing any symptoms. There is not one reason for high BP but there are many underlying reasons for it.
Primary Hypertension
Genetics
Gens have a fundamental role in determining the health of heart and v. If person is having history of high BP in the family then there is more chance that he will have high BP. When there are more cousins’ marriages then there is more risk of developing heart disease and BP.
Life style Factors
Life style also plays important role in this regard. If a person prefers to do work which doesn’t require physical work then it may cause high blood pressure. If a person is having active lifestyle and engages himself in exercises and physical work then the risk of high BP decreases.
Diet is also an important environmental factor that affects it. If a person is taking excessive salt then there is more chance of hypertension. If there is less intake of potassium in diet then risk of high hypertension also increases. Fatty diet also causes cardiovascular diseases and high blood pressure.
It is important to control weight as it is also risk factor that determines the health of person. If a person is weight is above average than it may lead to high blood pressure.
Stress and Alcohol
Another important factor that plays important role in high blood pressure is stress. If a person is under stress that changes in blood pressure occurs. Alcohol and tobacco users are more likely to develop cardiovascular problems and BP. The reason is that these substances damage the blood vessels and its lining.
Secondary Hypertension
When there is some medical condition due to which high blood pressure occurs, is called secondary hypertension. There are some common medical conditions which may lead to high BP. These conditions are as follows
Kidney Disease
One of the most common medical reasons behind high blood pressure is kidney issues. If a person I shaving any medical condition related to kidney then it may causes hypertension. If a person is having infection or stone in kidney then they may cause high blood pressure.
Hormonal disorder
Sometimes there is imbalance in the secretions of hormones. For example thyroid problems or adrenal gland tumors also causes high BP.
Medication
There are certain medicines which causes high blood pressure. These medicines have high blood pressure as a side effect. For example birth control pills cause hypertension. In the same manner some decongestants also causes rise in BP.
Complications due to High Blood Pressure
When blood pressure remains high for longer period of time it start to raise many serious conditions.
Angina
It is characterized by the severe pain chest. It is not a disease but it indicates that heart issues are going to rise. This pain may come and goes. During this condition heart doesn’t receives enough oxygen so it starts to pump faster to get more oxygen.
Heart Attack
If Blood pressure remains high for longer period of time it causes heart attack. During heart attack heart doesn’t receive blood. Due to stop in supply of oxygenated blood heart stops to work. Its muscles start to die due to insufficient supply of blood. If this condition remains for longer period of time then it will damage more cells.
Heart Failure
When heart doesn’t receive enough supply of oxygenated blood then heart attack occurs but if this condition remains for longer period of time it results in complete failure of heart and causes death. In this condition heart becomes unable to supply blood to vital organs which leads to death.
Paralysis
If blood pressure gets too high it may results in paralysis. Paralysis is a Nervous system disease. In this disease person becomes unable to move his muscles voluntarily. He losses controls over his body movements. It may be partial or complete. In partial paralysis brain losses control over some parts ort one side. in complete paralysis body becomes unable to move on its oneself.
Kidney Damage
If High blood pressure remains for longer period of time it also affects functioning of kidneys. If person is already having any condition of kidney then it gets more sever due to hypertension in blood.
Eye Health
high blood pressure also damages the vision. It creates vision problem. If high blood pressure remains unchecked for longer period of time then it damages the blood vessels in the eyes. When these nerves gets damage it results in partial or complete loss of vision.
Management of Blood Pressure
High BP is very risky for overall health of a person. If a person wants to keep healthy and fir then he must manage his BP and adopt a life style which is beneficial in controlling BP. Here are some tips to manage BP.
1. Exercise
It is very essential to include exercise in your daily routine to stay healthy. Exercise keeps the body fit in terms of metal as well as physical health. If person adopts an active life style then it helps him to control his blood pressure. It is advised to high BP patients to engage themselves in aerobic exercises for at least 1-2 hours. These exercises include cycling, jogging and swimming.
2. Weight management
One of the common reasons of high BP is weight. When the weight is above average it raises many health concerns including blood pressure. It is precautionary to control weight if you want to manage your BP.
3. Diet control
Diet play very essential role in management of BP. If a person is suffering from high BP then he can control his BP with diet. He must take a healthy diet plan. Patients with high BP are advised to take low salted meals. They are also advised to take low sodium and more potassium. Low sodium and high potassium diet is helpful in managing BP.
Patients of hypertension are also advised to take more vegetables and fruits to manage their BP.
4. Quit smoking
Smoking and alcohol also are dangerous for high blood pressure. If a smoker is tormented by high blood pressure then he ought to stop smoking to manage his BP. Consumption of alcohol is dangerous to his BP. These two substances are harmful for high blood pressure sufferers.
- Stress management
Stress also causes hypertension. If a person is having stressful events for longer period of time in his life then it may lead to hypertension. So it is very essential to manage stress before it gets severe and start to effect the physical health especially hypertension. In this regard yoga and meditation are helpful.
6. Regular Monitoring
It is advised to hypertension patient to regularly check their Blood pressure. It is not necessary that you when you are suffering from BP then monitor your BP. It is suggested to regularly monitor your bp to stay healthy and fit.
Home Remedies for Managing Hypertension
There are some home remedies which are helpful in managing hypertension.
Garlic
Garlic plays significant role in managing blood pressure. If a person suffering from hypertension increases use of garlic then it will benefit him in lowering BP. One can take garlic as raw or may use garlic in meals.
Beet Juice
Beet juice is also helpful in managing hypertension. The reason is that beetroot has high level of nitrates. These nitrates are beneficial in lowering BP.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-three fatty acids are useful for hypertension sufferers. So it’s suggested to hypertension sufferers to take such ingredients that have excessive omega-three fatty acids in its ingredients. Some fishes like salmon and mackerel have high content of omega-three fatty acids. Flaxseeds and walnuts are also helpful in lowering BP.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is also helpful in controlling hypertension. There is about 70% of cocoa in dark chocolate. Cocoa is helpful in maintain the health of blood vessels. In turn it helps to reduce blood pressure.