Why High Blood Pressure is So Dangerous?

What is High Blood Pressure?

Hypertension (high blood pressure) affects the heart and circulatory system. Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries. It is highest when the heart is pumping blood and falls to normal pressure when it is resting. A doctor uses a cuff to measure regular blood pressure. It consists of two numbers: systolic pressure (the force that the blood exerts against the walls of an artery during a heartbeat) and diastolic pressure (the pressure in the artery when the heart is at rest).

High blood pressure can cause a stroke if a blood clot blocks the blood vessel leading to the brain or if a blood vessel bursts in the brain. It is important to attend regular health checks and follow guidelines for screening.

While other factors contribute to high blood pressure, lifestyle is a big factor. Being overweight, not exercising, smoking, and drinking too much alcohol can all raise the pressure. Age, ethnicity, and genes can also influence blood pressure. It is vital to check your blood pressure regularly, at least once a year.

These tests can catch problems before they become serious. While most people develop high blood pressure over time, some people are genetically predisposed to it. This can be due to gene mutations or abnormalities in their parents. People over the age of 65 are particularly at risk.

What are the High Blood Pressure Causes?

Anxiety and blood pressure have been linked, but it is not necessarily the cause of high blood pressure. Some people with normal blood pressure can experience periods of high anxiety. In this situation, the body will naturally adapt and lower its blood pressure. However, if the anxiety is persistent, it can lead to hypertension.

When blood pressure is elevated, it damages the blood vessels and the heart. About half of Americans have elevated blood pressure, which can lead to serious complications. Many factors contribute to elevated blood pressure, including the amount of blood in the body and the size of blood vessels. While short-term high blood pressure is not a cause for concern, chronically elevated pressure can damage organs and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

There are many causes of hypertension, but genetics and environmental factors are the most common. Chronic hypertension can affect the heart, eyes, and kidneys.

Learning more about the disease and how to manage it is important. Hypertension can be dangerous, but it is treatable with the right treatment.

What Are High Blood Pressure Symptoms?

Hypertension is a condition that affects both men and women, but it is more common in men. Men are more predisposed to developing it before age 55, and women are more susceptible to it after menopause. The high blood pressure symptoms in women are, at times, subtle and hard to detect, but they include headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort.

What are the Risks and Complications of High Blood Pressure?

Lowering blood pressure is crucial to your health because if it is elevated, it can lead to:

• Damage to arteries

High blood pressure damages arteries, which supply blood to the heart and other vital organs. The high pressure can lead to blood clots, which can block blood flow, causing heart attacks and strokes. Damage to the arteries can also cause heart failure because the heart cannot adequately supply the organs with blood.

• Stroke risk

Elevated blood puts pressure on the blood vessels in the body and the arteries that lead to the brain. In addition, high blood pressure damages the walls of these blood vessels and can speed up common heart disease.

• Vision problems

High blood pressure is bad for many reasons, but it’s also bad for your vision. Those high blood pressure levels can damage the structure of the eye and impair the optic nerve, which can damage the area of the brain responsible for processing images. The good news is that hypertension is treatable.

• Sexual dysfunction

Fortunately, a new class of hypertension drugs has been proven to help men with sexual dysfunction. Losartan, a new medication, reduces blood pressure and has significantly improved erectile function in hypertensive men.

• Heart disease

Elevated pressure is dangerous for your heart because it can damage your arteries, leading to a heart attack or stroke. Ensure to check your blood pressure regularly and note any sudden changes to prevent complications. It is recommended to seek urgent care near you if you notice numbness in one or both arms, chest discomfort, or shortness of breath because it could be a sign of a heart attack.

When is High Blood Pressure an Emergency?

If you have high blood pressure and are experiencing symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately. These symptoms may include a severe headache, difficulty speaking, or upper back pain. Symptoms may also include shortness of breath or numbness in one side of the body. Loss of vision is also a sign of an emergency.

High blood pressure is considered a medical emergency when it exceeds 120 or 180 millimeters of mercury (mmHg). This is an extreme case of hypertension that can cause damage to the cardiovascular system, brain, or kidneys. This condition requires immediate medical treatment, and it can be fatal. A physician may order blood tests to confirm the diagnosis. Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels in the urine may also indicate hypertension. Emergency treatment for the high blood pressure may include IV drugs, which are given intravenously to lower blood pressure.

High blood pressure can damage the heart’s muscles and arteries. It may not feel like a medical emergency, but it’s important to get checked by a doctor. Visiting an emergency room in Harker Heights can prevent serious complications like heart failure.

How to Prevent High Blood Pressure?

Making healthy lifestyle changes is an important way to lower high blood pressure. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and a low sodium diet are key to lowering blood pressure. These changes can help prevent high blood pressure and lower your heart disease, kidney damage, and stroke risk.

Take Action

Visit Express Emergency Room Harker Heights for assistance if you experience elevated blood pressure.