What is high blood pressure? When the force of your blood against the walls of your arteries is constantly too high, it results in high blood pressure, also known as high blood pressure. High blood pressureWhich is a common disease. The extra stress this condition puts on your heart and blood vessels can lead to major health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.
The blood output of your heart and the resistance of your arteries to blood flow are the two main determinants of your blood pressure. Systolic pressure (the top number) and diastolic pressure (the bottom number) are two numbers used to represent blood pressure, usually measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Generally, a normal blood pressure reading is considered to be around 120/80 mmHg. If your blood pressure is consistently above this limit, you may have high blood pressure.
Causes of high blood pressure
There is Several factors That can contribute to the development of high blood pressure. Some common risk factors include age, genes, weight, physical activity, diet, and habits and lifestyle.
age: Your risk of developing high blood pressure increases as you age.
Genetics: High blood pressure can run in families.
obesity: Being overweight or obese can put extra strain on the heart as well as blood vessels, increasing your risk of high blood pressure.
Lack of physical activity: A sedentary lifestyle can increase the risk of high blood pressure.
Bad foodEating a diet high in saturated fat, salt, and cholesterol can increase your risk of high blood pressure.
smoking: Smoking can damage blood vessels and increase your risk of high blood pressure.
How is high blood pressure diagnosed?
Usually, high blood pressure is detected during a standard physical examination. Your blood pressure will be measured by your doctor or nurse using a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope. If your blood pressure is persistently high, your healthcare practitioner may recommend additional testing to identify the underlying cause.
A 24-hour blood pressure monitoring test, which involves wearing a small device that measures your blood pressure day and night, may sometimes be recommended by your healthcare professional.
High blood pressure is treated.
If you have high blood pressure or have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor and nutritionist will likely recommend lifestyle changes to help lower your blood pressure. These may include:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eat a healthy diet that is low in salt, saturated fat and cholesterol.
- Exercising regularly
- Quit smoking
- Limiting alcohol consumption
If lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough to lower your blood pressure, your healthcare provider may also prescribe medications to help manage your condition.