Hypertension: Symptoms Risk Factors and Management

Hypertension or high blood pressure is the same thing. Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood on the walls of the blood vessels. It depends on the resistance offered by the blood vessel walls and also on the amount of work done by the heart.

Hypertension is one of the major causes of heart diseases such as heart failure, stroke, and heart attack. It is important to understand the symptoms and treatment of hypertension to reduce the risk of heart disease and other associated health complications.

Symptoms of Hypertension

In most cases, hypertension does not produce any symptoms. It can only be detected if you visit a health care practitioner to get it measured. Some people with very high blood pressure may experience the following symptoms:

• Pain in the head
• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pressure over the eyes
• Vertigo

Risk Factors for Hypertension

The risk factors for hypertension that make you susceptible to suffering from high blood pressure include the following:

• Lack of regular exercise: People living a sedentary life are more prone to suffer from high blood pressure as compared to the people who go for regular exercise. Lack of exercise is an important risk factor for increasing blood pressure.
• High salt intake: People who are in a habit of eating a high salt diet are at risk of developing hypertension because sodium content in the salt is the most important reason for causing high blood pressure in young individuals.
• Eating more fats: Eating foods high in fat also increases the risk of high blood pressure. Processed foods and Trans fats are responsible for producing heart problems and also increase the risk of high blood pressure.
• Excessive smoking and consumption of alcohol: People who are in a habit of doing excessive smoking and drinking alcohol can suffer from high blood pressure as compared to non-smokers who do not drink alcohol.
• Stress: It is also an important reason that can lead to high blood pressure in young individuals. People who remain under mental stress are at a high risk of developing high blood pressure.

Management of Hypertension

Hypertension can be managed easily by making lifestyle and dietary changes. Some methods for hypertension management are listed below:

Exercise Regularly

People with hypertension must engage in doing regular exercise. Mild to moderate exercise helps in managing hypertension naturally. Walking, jogging, swimming, and cycling are some of the good exercises for people with hypertension.

Stress Management

It is just that people with high blood pressure should learn stress management because stress is a common reason for high blood pressure. They can use relaxation therapy for managing stress. Yoga, meditation, warm baths, and going for a walk are good options to manage stress.

Avoid Smoking and Drinking Alcohol

People with high blood pressure or hypertension must avoid smoking and alcohol drinking because both habits can cause a rise in blood pressure. One should also avoid the use of drugs for managing stress as such drugs can produce harmful effects on the body.

Diet

High blood pressure can also be managed by making dietary changes. One should follow a healthy diet. Some dietary recommendations for managing hypertension are:

Reduce Salt Intake

High salt intake is the most important culprit leading to increased blood pressure. Therefore, people with high blood pressure should reduce salt intake to reduce their sodium intake. Reducing salt intake quickly helps in managing high blood pressure.

Include Green Leafy Vegetables and Fruits

People suffering from hypertension should eat more fruits and green leafy vegetables.  People with high blood pressure should include whole grains, fibrous foods, pulses, nuts, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and low-fat products.  Fruits and vegetables with high antioxidants help in boosting the immune system and also help in managing high blood pressure.

Avoid Foods with High-fat Content

One should avoid eating foods with high-fat content to manage blood pressure. Foods with high-fat content can increase the risk of high blood pressure. They should avoid eating hydrogenated vegetable oils, Trans fat, packed foods, processed foods, and refined foods.

Manage Body Weight

Obesity is a contributing factor to high blood pressure.  People with high blood pressure must try to manage body weight by doing regular exercise. Blood pressure will reduce naturally with weight loss. In obese people, the heart has to work more to pump the blood to all parts of the body which increases blood pressure. But, the heart can work normally if you have ideal body weight.

At CARE Hospitals, one of the best hypertension treatment hospitals in Hyderabad, we have the best heart specialists in India who specialize in treating hypertension.