Things to Know About Blood Pressure

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Things to Know About Blood Pressure
April 15, 2024 by admin

Blood is carried from your heart to other body parts through arteries. Blood pressure, therefore, refers to the pressure exerted by the blood against the walls of the arteries as it circulates throughout your body. The blood pressure of a person typically increases and decreases throughout the day.

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a common health condition that affects many people. In people with hypertension, the heart works harder in order to pump blood from the heart to other parts of the body. If you are a resident of Chennai and want to ascertain your heart health, it is highly recommended that you consult with the top cardiologist in Chennai.

Different Ranges of Blood Pressure

Typically, blood pressure is expressed in millimetres of mercury, or mm Hg. The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology divide blood pressure levels into four categories:

Normal Blood Pressure: 

Less than or equal to 120 (systolic) or 80 (diastolic) mm Hg.

The systolic pressure represents the arterial pressure during heartbeats. The diastolic pressure represents the arterial pressure between heartbeats.

Elevated Blood Pressure: 

The systolic pressure ranges from 120 to 129 mm Hg and the diastolic pressure is below 80 mm Hg.

Stage 1 Hypertension: 

The systolic pressure is between 130 and 139 mm Hg, or the diastolic pressure is between 80 and 89 mm Hg.

Stage 2 Hypertension: 

The systolic pressure is at 140 mm Hg or above, or the diastolic pressure is at 90 mm Hg or above.

When a person’s blood pressure goes above 180/120 mm Hg, he or she is said to be in a hypertensive crisis or emergency. Anyone with such high blood pressure levels should immediately seek medical help.

High blood pressure, if not treated, increases the chances of having a heart attack, stroke, or other serious health conditions. Therefore, it is important for a person to check their blood pressure every two years, starting at 18 years of age. More frequent checks may be needed for some people.

Following healthy lifestyle habits such as quitting or not smoking, eating a balanced diet, and exercising is helpful in preventing and treating hypertension. Some people may need medication to manage high blood pressure.

Symptoms Of Hypertension

Most people with high blood pressure levels do not experience symptoms, even if their readings are dangerously high. You can have hypertension for many years without any symptoms. Some people with high blood pressure levels may experience headaches, nosebleeds, or shortness of breath. However, these symptoms are not specific and usually don’t occur until high blood pressure has reached a severe or life-threatening stage.

If you have any of these symptoms, it is best that you visit the best cardiology hospital in Chennai and consult with one of the most experienced cardiologists.

Hypertension: Causes And Effects

Blood pressure is measured by determining two aspects: the quantity of blood pumped by the heart and the difficulty experienced in moving the blood through the arteries. The more blood pumped by the heart and the narrower the arteries are, the higher the blood pressure will be.

Mainly there are two types of hypertension.

Primary Or Essential Hypertension

In most adults, the cause of primary hypertension is not easily identifiable. It often tends to develop over the years. Atherosclerosis, or the buildup of plaques in the arteries, increases the risk of hypertension.

Secondary Hypertension

When an underlying condition causes hypertension, it is referred to as secondary hypertension. Unlike primary hypertension, the secondary type often develops suddenly. Medicines and conditions that cause secondary hypertension include:

  • Adrenal gland tumours
  • Congenital blood vessel problems or heart defects
  • Medicines used for treating cough and colds, birth control pills, some pain relievers, and prescription drugs
  • Illegal drugs like cocaine and amphetamines
  • Obstructive sleep apnoea
  • Kidney disease
  • Thyroid problems

Besides, the risk factors for hypertension include age, race, family history, obesity, lack of exercise, use of tobacco, eating too much salt, low potassium levels, consuming too much alcohol, stress, certain chronic conditions, and pregnancy.

Measures To Prevent Or Manage Hypertension

People suffering from hypertension can lower their blood pressure levels to a healthy range by making certain lifestyle changes. These lifestyle changes include:

  • Involvement in any physical activity for 150 minutes each week (approximately 30 minutes per day for 5 days a week)
  • Not smoking or quitting smoking
  • Eating a healthy diet (which includes limiting sodium and alcohol intake)
  • Maintaining a healthy body weight
  • Managing stress

Apart from making positive lifestyle modifications, some people may have to take medicine to manage their blood pressure. If you proactively take action to reduce your blood pressure levels, you may be able to protect yourself against stroke, and heart disease, also referred to as cardiovascular disease.

High Blood Pressure – Treatment

Making lifestyle changes helps control or manage your high blood pressure condition. However, lifestyle changes alone may not be sufficient to lower blood pressure levels. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicines to manage hypertension.

Your doctor may prescribe medications to treat hypertension, depending on your blood pressure levels and overall health condition. Often, two or more medications are more effective than just one. However, it takes some time to determine the combination that provides the best outcomes for you.

Sugam Hospital

Sugam Hospital is a multi-speciality hospital in Chennai with state-of-the-art facilities for diagnosing and treating various conditions. In fact, Sugam boasts of having one of the best diagnostic labs in Chennai. The ultramodern operation theatre complex at the hospital is fitted with laminar flow air conditioning and HEPA filter systems which help to maintain positive pressure and enhanced sterility. Besides the infection control policy implemented, Sugam prevents cross-infection for patient safety. Furthermore, the hospital boasts of having some of the best cardiologists, cardio-thoracic surgeons, general physicians, and nephrologists on its team.