Hypertension and High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a condition which occurs when the pressure of the blood flow through the arteries increases, resulting in intense pressure. Hypertension occurs when the systolic pressure (pressure at which the heart pumps blood) and the diastolic pressure (pressure at which the heart relaxes) is more than 140 and 90 respectively.

Symptoms of high blood pressure are: 

1. Shortness of breath: If you have high blood pressure, then you may experience regular shortness of breath.
2. Headaches: You may experience headaches on a regular basis.
3. Weakness of the heart muscles: Hypertension results in a weak heart which may not be able to pump blood properly.
4. Narrowing of blood vessels: Narrowing of blood vessels may lead to other complications such as failure of the kidneys, heart, and brain.
5. Vision problems: It may lead to vision problems as blood vessels in the eye may be affected.

The various causes of blood pressure are: 

1. Tobacco: If you smoke on a regular basis, you put yourself at an increased risk of getting affected by blood pressure.
2. Lifestyle: Not exercising regularly, eating a sodium-rich diet are all factors which can increase the chances of hypertension.
3. Age: The chances of getting affected by hypertension increase as you age.
4. Weight: Being excessively obese also increases your risk of getting affected by hypertension.
5. Diabetes: Being diabetic makes you more prone to getting affected by diabetes.
6. Hyperthyroidism: If you have an overactive thyroid gland, then it may result in hypertension.

Hypertension may result in various health complications in the body such as:

1. Aneurysm: This is a disorder of the blood vessels which causes the blood vessels to bulge and weaken.
2. Heart attack: High blood pressure causes the arteries to harden and thicken which may lead to a heart attack.
3. Metabolic syndrome: This syndrome refers to a group of complications such as high bad cholesterol levels and insulin levels in the body.
4. Impaired brain functioning: It may also impair your ability to learn and impact your cognitive skills.