In this article, we will briefly examine what is hypertension, and its symptoms and causes. Read on also for video resources on simple exercises that can help reduce the risk of hypertension and improve the health of your heart.
What Is Hypertension?
Hypertension, another name for high blood pressure, is elevated blood pressure. Depending on your activity, your blood pressure changes throughout the day. A diagnosis of high blood pressure may be made if blood pressure readings are frequently higher than normal (over 140/90 mmHg). Your risk of developing additional health issues, such as hypertensive heart disease, heart attack, and stroke, increases as your blood pressure levels rise.
What Are The Symptoms Of Hypertension
Even when blood pressure readings are at dangerously high levels, the majority of people with high blood pressure show no symptoms. Years may go by while you have high blood pressure with no signs or symptoms. A few high blood pressure sufferers could have:
- Headaches
- Breathing difficulty
- Nosebleeds
What Are The Causes Of High Blood Pressure?
The amount of blood the heart pumps and the difficulty of the blood’s passage through the arteries both affect blood pressure. Blood pressure rises as the heart pumps more blood and as the arteries become more constricted. The two basic types of high blood pressure are:
- Primary hypertension, also known as essential hypertension
For the majority of adults, high blood pressure has no known cause. Primary hypertension or essential hypertension are the terms used to describe this form of excessive blood pressure. It typically takes many years to grow gradually. Atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque in the arteries, raises the risk of high blood pressure.
- Secondary hypertension
High blood pressure that is brought on by another medical disease is referred to as secondary high blood pressure (secondary hypertension). Conditions that impact the kidneys, arteries, heart, or endocrine system may be to blame. During pregnancy, secondary hypertension can also happen.
Can Hypertension Cause A Heart Attack?
The body can be silently harmed by high blood pressure for years before symptoms appear. Indeed, a heart attack or stroke might result. Serious health issues that might arise as a result include:
- Coronary artery disease
High blood pressure can cause a narrowed or damaged artery which then leads to trouble supplying blood to the heart. A low amount of blood flow to the heart can in turn cause chest pain (angina), irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), or a heart attack
- Heart failure
The stress on the heart brought on by this condition over time may lead the heart muscle to deteriorate and operate less properly. The overworked heart eventually gives up.
- Enlarged left side of the heart
The heart must put more effort to circulate blood to the body’s other organs because of high blood pressure. As a result, the left ventricle, the lower left chamber of the heart, thickens. Heart attacks, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death are among the risks that are increased by a thickened left ventricle.
Exercise Your Way To A Healthy Blood Pressure
Did you know that one of the best ways to control your blood pressure without medication is regular exercise? The Singapore Heart Foundation has a series of videos to show you how.
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This article is informative only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.
