Hypertension is a common and dangerous condition that should be taken seriously by all. However, there are ways of preventing its development and living a long, happy, and healthy life. In this article, we will discuss hypertension treatment, causes, and symptoms to watch out for.
What is Hypertension?
Hypertension is more commonly known as high blood pressure. Blood pressure is defined as the pressure of one’s blood against one’s arteries. This pressure typically rises and falls throughout the day. However, high blood pressure is a medical condition where this pressure is too high. Not only is hypertension itself a dangerous condition, but it can increase the risk of contracting other diseases such as heart, kidney, and brain disease.
What are the 5 Symptoms of Hypertension?
As high blood pressure is so dangerous, it is important to identify it as soon as possible, so that one may take the necessary steps to keep it under control. Some of the symptoms to look out for include:
- Fatigue: If you are getting enough sleep, living a relatively healthy lifestyle, and still feeling fatigued, then it could be a sign of hypertension.
- Vision: Be aware of vision. Blurriness and double vision could be a sign of high blood pressure.
- Lightheadedness: If you have eaten and experience seemingly random spells of lightheadedness and feeling faint it could be an indication that you are suffering from hypertension.
- Shortness of Breath: While we all experience shortness of breath after physical exertion, you should consider the possibility of hypertension if you often feel out of breath for little to no reason.
- Heart Palpitations: If you are suffering from heart palpitations the cause could be high blood pressure and you should be tested.
- Nausea: You should be concerned if you feel nauseous for no particular reason and experience this symptom frequently.
- Nosebleeds: A nosebleed that is not caused by blunt force or other obvious reasons should be checked, as it could be a sight of high blood pressure.
What Causes Hypertension?
Hypertension can have many causes and typically develops over time, due to an unhealthy lifestyle. Therefore, it is most often found in individuals who do not exercise enough and do not maintain a healthy diet. Some individuals also have a genetic predisposition to hypertension. It is advisable to have a genetic test done to determine whether you have this predisposition. Once informed, you can take measures to prevent high blood pressure from developing.
How to Treat Hypertension
Once you have been diagnosed with hypertension, there are certain lifestyle changes that you can apply to lower your blood pressure. Some steps you can take include exercise, a healthy diet, losing weight, reducing stress, and quitting smoking (if you are a smoker). Your doctor will also typically prescribe medication to help keep your blood pressure under control; however, these pills will not solve the problem, they will only repress the symptoms.
Contact Geneway to find out more about how you can find out whether or not you have a predisposition to hypertension and the steps you can take to prevent or manage this condition.