Hypertension or high blood pressure is a disorder where the pressure of blood within the blood vessels is higher than normal. The force of the increased pressure can cause a wide range of problems without any noticeable symptoms at first. This is why hypertension is called the ‘silent killer’. Symptoms associate with blood pressure only shows up in the later stages or once other complications associated with high blood pressure presents itself.
What is Hypertension?
Definition of Hypertension
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Hypertension is any elevated blood pressure that persists above a diastolic pressure of 90 mm.Hg. When the heart beats, it contracts and relaxes. This increases and decreases the blood pressure within a narrow range. As the heart contracts, the blood pressure increases (known as the systolic pressure) and when it relaxes, the pressure drops and is known as the diastolic pressure. A normal blood pressure is considered to be 120/80 (120 over 80).
Normally, blood pressure is maintained with a range of 120 mm.Hg (systolic) and 80 mm.Hg (diastolic) but slight variations may occur depending on emotional state, age, time of the day and physical activity. While systolic pressure does increase slightly after the age of 40 years, this is considered somewhat acceptable provided that it does not increase to a large degree within a short period of time. However, an increase in diastolic pressure above 90 mm.Hg is considered to be a problem.
How does high blood pressure occur?
Causes of Hypertension
Primary hypertension which accounts for 90% of high blood pressure cases occurs for unknown reasons although certain risk factors is known to predispose a person to developing high blood pressure. Secondary hypertension occurs as a result of disorders affecting other parts of the body that play an integral part in blood circulation like the blood vessels, kidney and liver.
Any increase in fluid volume (water retention) or narrowing of the blood vessels (artherosclerosis or narrowing due to cholesterol and plaques) will increase blood pressure. This is similar to a large amount of water flowing through a very narrow pipe and this increases the hydrostatic pressure.
The risk factors for developing hypertension are widely known and addressing them at an early stage may significantly lower the chances of developing high blood pressure.
Risk Factors for Hypertension
- Family history (parents or siblings with hypertension)
- Overweight or obesity
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol use
- High salt or low potassium intake
- Hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol)
- Sedentary lifestyle (lack of exercise and physical activity)
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies (anemia or low blood iron may cause low blood pressure or hypotension)
- Diabetes
Hypertensive patients often do not know that they are suffering high blood pressure. In most cases, hypertension is asymptomatic meaning that there is no clear signs and symptoms. At a later stage, there may be some vague signs and symptoms that could be associated with other disorders.
- Headaches (dull to severe pain)
- Nose bleeds
- Dizzy spells
- Confusion or disorientation (especially in the latter stages of hypertension)
- Blurred vision
- ‘Blackouts’ or fainting spells
- Hematuria (blood in the urine)
What happens in long term hypertension?
Complications of High Blood Pressure
Long term, uncontrolled high blood pressure can be fatal. Heart disease will eventually lead to heart failure where the heart is unable to pump to a sufficient degree to maintain normal body functioning. High blood pressure causes turbulence within the blood vessels that may damage the interior lining of the vessel. Over time, small ‘clots’ may develop which enlarge over time (thrombosis) and may dislodge and cause a blockage in the blood vessels of the brain. This reduces the flow of oxygenated blood to the brain tissue and is known as a s stroke or cardiovascular accident (CVA). Hypertension may also affect the kidneys, eventually leading to renal failure and a host of other kidney disorders.
How is high blood pressure treated?
Treatment of Hypertension
High blood pressure may be treated with drugs like beta-blockers, diuretics and ACE inhibitors. These drugs have a range of effects on the body which assists with reducing hypertension. The main actions of these drugs is to reduce the body water content by increasing urine output. Less fluid volume within the blood vessels reduces the force exerted within the vessel. Hypertensive drugs may also ‘relax’ the blood vessels creating a ‘wider’ vessel. This increased girth of the vessel allows the blood to flow easier without being forced through the system. Some hypertensive drugs may also act upon the kidneys to alter the electrolyte (salt) concentration within the body or on the heart itself.
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