The Silent Threat: Uncovering the Causes, Symptoms, and Complications of High Blood Pressure

What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. When this pressure is consistently high, it is known as high blood pressure.

Causes of high blood pressure:

Known causes:

• Aging.
• Obesity.
• Not exercising regularly.
• Smoking.
• Excess salt consumption.
• Alcohol consumption.
• Certain medications.
• Certain medical conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease.

Unknown causes:

In some cases, no clear cause can be identified for high blood pressure.

Types of high blood pressure:

• Primary hypertension: This is the most common type and has no clear cause.
• Secondary hypertension: This occurs as a result of another medical condition, such as narrowed arteries or kidney problems.

Symptoms of high blood pressure:

Often, there are no clear symptoms of high blood pressure in the early stages. However, some symptoms may appear when the pressure becomes too high, such as:

• Headache.
• Dizziness.
• Nosebleeds.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Blurred vision.
• Chest pain.

Complications of high blood pressure:

If high blood pressure is not treated, it can lead to serious complications, such as:

• Heart disease: heart attack, heart failure.
• Stroke.
• Kidney disease.
• Damage to blood vessels in the eyes.

Diagnosis of high blood pressure:

High blood pressure is diagnosed by measuring blood pressure repeatedly using a blood pressure monitor.

Treatment of high blood pressure:

Treatment of high blood pressure aims to lower and control blood pressure, and reduce the risk of complications. Treatment includes:

• Lifestyle modification: eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol consumption.
• Medications: There are many medications available to treat high blood pressure, such as ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and diuretics.

Prevention of high blood pressure:

High blood pressure can be prevented or delayed by following a healthy lifestyle and controlling risk factors.

Important Notes:

• Do not ignore high blood pressure: You should consult your doctor regularly to monitor and treat your blood pressure.
• Commit to treatment: You should adhere to taking medications regularly and following your doctor's recommendations.
• Measuring blood pressure at home: You can use a blood pressure monitor at home to monitor your blood pressure between medical visits.