Blood pressure is the force exerted as blood flows against the arterial walls. Two numbers are used for recording blood pressure – systolic (pressure of the blood when the heart beats) and diastolic (pressure between beats). The systolic number is always written on top and the diastolic number at the bottom. For example, a blood pressure reading of a systolic number of 120 and a diastolic number of 80 is recorded as 120/80.
Normal blood pressure is read at 120/80. However, this can change depending on age, sex, and certain medical conditions. If you have not obtained your blood pressure reading for a while, you need to consider getting it done as your blood pressure can signify various problems, and ignoring it can lead to health complications, such as heart disease. A single reading will not provide an accurate figure of your blood pressure. In fact, you need to consider monitoring your readings over a certain period. Blood pressure may increase and decrease according to various times of the day depending on your activities. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain blood pressure readings at the same time every day.
What is the Cause of High Blood Pressure?
If your readings are high (for example 139/90), you have to identify its cause. High blood pressure or hypertension can occur due to two reasons. The first reason is unidentifiable. This is known as essential or primary hypertension. This means there is no cause for the increase in blood pressure. The second reason is that it is due to an underlying medical condition. For example, kidney problems, thyroid problems, certain medications, etc. may cause pressure to rise.
What are the Symptoms?
Most often, hypertension has no symptoms even when pressure readings are dangerously high. However, sometimes, you may experience dull headaches and dizzy spells. If this continues for long, you should seek medical advice.
How to Treat Hypertension?
The best method of treating high blood pressure is by lowering your blood pressure with healthy lifestyle habits. However, if these alone are not effective, you should consider medical treatment.
High blood pressure is extremely dangerous. If your pressure is high, consider medical advice without fail. Failure to do so can end in serious repercussions, such as a stroke, aneurysm, heart attack, and other fatal problems.
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