Hypertension
What is hypertension?
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a condition in which the force of the blood as it passes through the arteries is too high. This increased pressure can lead to a variety of serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. It typically affects people over age 45, but can affect people of all ages.
Symptoms of Hypertension
In many cases, hypertension has no visible symptoms, so it can be hard to detect. Treating it is essential for keeping your heart and circulatory system healthy. If you notice any of the following issues, it’s important to get checked by a doctor quickly:
- Headaches
- Blurry vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypertension
To diagnose hypertension, your doctor will take your blood pressure readings and assess other relevant factors such as your age, family history, weight, and dietary habits. If it is confirmed, there are a number of treatments available.
The most important step is making healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating a balanced diet, reducing salt intake, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking. Your doctor may also suggest taking medications if needed.
Prevention of Hypertension
To reduce your risk of developing hypertension, there are some simple steps you can take:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Exercise on a regular basis
- Eat a healthy diet that is low in fat, salt, and sugar
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Quit smoking
- Reduce stress