Blood pressure is the force the blood exerts on the arteries as it circulates in the human body. Blood pressure plays a vital role in heart health, such as maintaining a good cholesterol level. In addition, an increase in blood pressure can lead to several cardiovascular diseases such as Coronary artery disease, Cardiac arrest.
What happens when there is an increase in Blood pressure?!
As the blood pressure increases, it pushes the walls of blood vessels and the heart. If the condition remains too high (called hypertension), this may increase the risk of heart attacks. Although age is a factor in the cause of hypertension, ethnicity and stress can also play a role in the cause. Vascular diseases, eye damage, and kidney stones are some of the additional conditions that adults face due to high Blood Pressure.
With a decrease in your BP, the pressure on the blood vessel wall also decreases. However, if it remains too low, one can get hypotension. This condition can affect critical organs such as the heart and brain. Furthermore, our blood doesn't get enough oxygen.
Risks associated with High Blood pressure
Ethnicity: Race or ethnicity is a significant factor associated with high BP. South Asian populations are at higher risk. Black adults also experience high Blood Pressure as compared to other races.
Age: As one ages, the blood pressure tends to shoot up. So older population can be at high risk.
Family history: Genetic variations affect people with high BP. The risk increases within a family with a heart disease record and cholesterol record. The exact pattern for this is still unknown.
Lifestyle: The primary reasons include
- Excess stress can promote high BP in a specific population.
- Consuming a high amount of salt with insufficient potassium and no physical exercise are also leading factors.
- Consuming alcohol and smoking l can also contribute to high blood pressure risk.
Sex : Before age 55, males are likely to develop high BP 5 times more than females.
Weight: Overweight and obese people are at high risk of blood pressure and heart diseases.
Symptoms associated with a high BP
Initial symptoms associated with high BP can be tricky. Mostly physical symptoms are absent. People discover abnormal BP conditions after a thorough check-up. Some of the symptoms are
- Fainting
- Increased heartbeat
- Sweating
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Anxiety
- Vision Fluctuations
- Nausea
- Sleeplessness
Tackling high BP in long term
Sodium or salt is a regulator of blood pressure. When the blood sodium concentration increases, there is a high risk of developing blood pressure. Therefore, having an adequate amount of salt, not more than 4g per day, is advised to have healthy Blood pressure. With this, one can avoid the intake of high sodium-rich foods.
Lifestyle change can also contribute to a healthy BP. An increase in protein intake, high activity levels and a balanced diet can help to regulate Blood Pressure. Using just one specific approach may not be the best option to tackle High blood pressure; combination techniques are better.
Conclusion
High blood pressure can lead to many dangerous diseases if left untreated. The current scenario also states that the young population is at more risk of developing high blood pressure, leading to a heart attack. Therefore, one needs to modify lifestyle. Proper food habits are also essential to combat the current threat of high BP. Moreover, one condition leads to another; therefore, even the slightest symptom can become problematic if left untreated in the longer run.
References
- Pei, D., Chen, Y. L., Tang, S. H., Wu, C. Z., Lin, J. D., Chang, Y. L., Hsu, C. H., Wang, C. Y., Wang, K., & Wang, J. Y. (2011). Relationship of blood pressure and cardiovascular disease risk factors in normotensive middle-aged men. Medicine, 90 (5), 344–349. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0b013e31822a3852
- National High Blood Pressure Education Program. (2004). The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (US).
- Tielemans, S. M., Altorf-van der Kuil, W., Engberink, M. F., Brink, E. J., van Baak, M. A., Bakker, S. J., & Geleijnse, J. M. (2013). Intake of total protein, plant protein and animal protein in relation to blood pressure: a meta-analysis of observational and intervention studies. Journal of human hypertension, 27 (9), 564–571. https://doi.org/10.1038/jhh.2013.16
- Rebholz, C. M., Friedman, E. E., Powers, L. J., Arroyave, W. D., He, J., & Kelly, T. N. (2012). Dietary protein intake and blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. American journal of epidemiology, 176 Suppl 7 , S27–S43. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kws245
