High Blood Pressure, also called hypertension, is a condition characterized by abnormal pressure on the blood vessels. It makes the heart exhausted as it pushes blood throughout the body. It’s a risky condition as it has been shown to trigger diseases such as kidney disease, atherosclerosis, heart failure and stroke. The actual cause of hypertension is not known. However, it can be triggered by a number of things. The one which stands out is choice of lifestyle. The kind of lifestyle that you lead will greatly affect the level at which you are prone to this condition.
High Blood Pressure Causes
Some things that have been shown to trigger hypertension include:
1. Smoking.
Smoking is one of those habits that you must drop as early as possible. The reason being that it will place you at risk of so many conditions; hypertension is just one of them. Another thing is that it takes a toll on your skin making you age prematurely physically and have chapped lips. I don’t need to mention what an expensive habit it is to maintain. It’s a luxury you simply can’t afford.
2. Medication
Certain medications have been associated with hypertension. They include over-the-counter pain relievers, birth control pills, and prescription drugs among others. To be on the safe side, ensure that you consult your doctor before you take any medication. Also, stop self-medicating and get checked if you think you have a certain condition.
3. Illegal drugs
In the spirit of drugs, important to note is that illegal drugs will also put you at risk of hypertension. Drug abuse has been on the rise in the recent past and I shatter to think the kind of generation that will be having in a few years to come. Cocaine, amphetamines are some of those drugs you need to avoid at all cost. Alcohol abuse is also a known cause.
4. Obesity
Excess fat in the body make the blood vessels clogged, triggering hypertension. Working out more often will keep your body weight at check and prevent obesity or any other lifestyle disease. This has to be accompanied by other lifestyle changes such as eating healthy.
5. Excess Salt Intake
If you take too much salt, you will raise the levels of your blood pressure drastically. Remember also that salt is a dehydrating agent and thus dries out your skin and body. Monitor your salt intake always.
6. Stress
Depression, stress & anxiety and hypertension are some of the conditions that will get to you if you are always stressed out. I’m not trying to make you feel like it’s your fault you are stressed, but the idea is to make you start taking stress seriously and look for ways to curb it. Techniques such as meditation and yoga will help you through.
7. Hereditary
High blood pressure, like most conditions, can be inherited. If you came from a family which has recorded a number of cases, you may need to get checked every once in a while to ensure you don’t have the condition. This is because you are at risk due to some genetic factors.
8. Age
As you age, you are put at risk of many conditions such as Alzheimer disease, hypertension, and diabetes among others. The little you can do is ensuring you lead a healthy lifestyle. (Exercise often, eats a healthy meal and above all, stay in touch with your inner self). These are the little things that make a whole world of difference.
Discussed above are the causes of high blood pressure. There are a number of other causes but we will stick to those for now. Diagnosis can only be made by a health care provider. Have it tested every few years, after which you will be guided on the kind of lifestyle you should lead to control it. Medication will also be offered. In severe cases (hypertensive crisis), you will experience symptoms such as severe headaches, nose bleeds, severe anxiety and shortness of breath. If you spot these symptoms, report to the nearest health center as the condition may be deadly.
Myth symptoms of Hypertension
The symptoms below in no way signify that you have high blood pressure. They can however, be signs of other illnesses.
1. Blood spots in the eyes.
2. Dizziness
3. Facial flushing
4. Symptomatic headaches
Conclusion
High blood pressure is a condition that has been on the rise in the recent past. This might be attributed to the kind of lifestyle most of us are leading today. Leading a healthy lifestyle will be crucial in ensuring you are not at risk. Also, take a test every once in a while to be in the know in case of anything. This way it will be diagnosed at an early stage and conditions related to it will not affect you.
