Hypertension
Blood pressure:
The arteries regulate pressure and the amount of blood passing through them through regular expansion and contraction with the heartbeat. If these arteries lose their elasticity for any reason, then the resistance of the arterial walls to the passage of blood increases, which is an important factor in knowing and controlling the level of blood pressure. High blood pressure is a chronic disease that cannot be cured, but it can be controlled.
The blood pressure while the heart is contracting is called systolic pressure (during the pumping process), and when the heart is relaxing it is called diastolic pressure (to receive blood coming from the body).
Classification of blood pressure according to its severity
| | |
Classification
| Systolic pressure
| Diastolic pressure
|
Normal blood pressure
| 120 Or less than
| 80 Or less than |
Blood pressure above normal
| 120 -139 | 80-89 |
First degree high blood pressure
| 140 -159 | 90-99 |
Second degree high blood pressure
| 160 Or greater than
| 100 Or greater than
|
Causes of high blood pressure:
There is no specific cause for high blood pressure, but it may be:
- Genetic causes.
- A reaction to some medications, such as (cortisone, birth control pills, immune medications).
- Endocrine diseases.
- Kidney disease.
- Narrowing of the renal artery.
- Arteritis.
- Eclampsia.
Symptoms of high blood pressure:
-
In most cases, there are no symptoms and the diagnosis is made by chance during routine examinations.
-
High blood pressure may be accompanied by chronic headaches and blurring of the eyes.
Treatment of high blood pressure:
-
Commitment to taking the doses prescribed by the specialist doctor.
-
Make sure to consult a specialist doctor regularly to know your health condition and changes to keep your blood pressure under control.
-
Follow the prescribed diet and reduce weight while changing daily habits if necessary.
-
Stay away from stress, anxiety and nervousness.
Risk factors that can be controlled:
- Obesity.
- Excess salt in food.
- Overweight.
- Stress and nervous pressure.
Risk factors that cannot be controlled:
- Genetics: Having a family history of heart disease and high blood pressure.
- Age: The risk of developing high blood pressure increases with age.
